Scottish Premiership champions Celtic are reportedly battling Sunderland to sign Kilmarnock left-back Greg Taylor.
The battle for Greg Taylor might have just become a two-horse race.
It is no secret that Celtic are keen to sign the Kilmarnock left-back as Kieran Tierney’s replacement but, according to the Daily Record, Sunderland have suddenly thrown their hat into the ring with just days until the transfer window shuts.
The report claims that both The Hoops and The Black Cats have made bids and will continue to hold talks with Killie over the next few days.
But if Sunderland win the race, it would be nothing short of a minor miracle – and not just because Celtic are playing European football while the Wearsiders are stuck in the purgatory of League One.
Clubs in England can only sign players on loan until before the end of the window so Celtic have a clear advantage. And, in any case, Taylor’s £3 million price-tag is a little rich for a Sunderland side who more than likely want to sign the Scotland international on an initial loan deal.
Celtic, meanwhile, made £25 million from the sale of Tierney to Arsenal earlier in August so surely they can afford to meet Killie’s asking price for a player who is the epitome of a typical Parkhead signing; young, technically gifted and blessed with plenty of re-sale value.
And that’s not all. Celtic, it seems, have a Jack Hendry-shaped bargaining tool at their disposal.
The Record claims that the Premiership champions could offer the seldom-seen centre-back who hasn’t made a single appearance under Neil Lennon as part of the deal. And, rather helpfully, Kilmarnock are fans of former Dundee ace Hendry if the Scottish Sun is to be believed.
If this is a two-horse race, then Celtic are riding a pedigree steed while Sunderland clatter blindly into the hurdles.
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