Celtic are pursuing the signature of Hibernian midfielder John McGinn.
Hibernian boss Neil Lennon has told the Daily Mail that Scott Allan has not been included in talks with Celtic over a deal for John McGinn.
Having sold Stuart Armstrong to Southampton earlier this summer, Celtic are now in the market for another midfielder – and their top target is well known now.
Hibernian star McGinn has thrived in Edinburgh since his 2015 from St Mirren, and has now become a regular for Scotland on the international stage off the back of his performances.
With just a year left on his contract with Hibs though, McGinn may be sold this summer before he leaves for free, and Celtic are looking to capitalise on that fact.
The Daily Record report that Celtic are set to relax their pursuit after failing with bids of £1.5million and £2million in recent weeks, but he still appears to be Brendan Rodgers’ top target in midfield.
Now, Hibs boss Neil Lennon has had his say on the situation, telling the Daily Mail that he doesn’t even know what the club’s valuation of McGinn actually is, but Celtic simply haven’t met it yet.
Former Celtic manager Lennon added that Scott Allan – the Celtic midfielder who spent the second half of last season on loan at Hibs – hasn’t been included in talks, with a swap deal seemingly not on the cards.
“We’ve had two bids which have not been accepted by the club. There’s been communication and I think Celtic are aware of what we value John at,” said Lennon. “I don’t actually know exactly what that figure is. All I know is that Celtic haven’t met it so far.”
“It is unsettling for the player – of course it is. This is football and you can’t stop players from progressing, but all the speculation is not an easy thing for him to deal with. We just need to manage him as best we can until it’s resolved one way or the other. Scott Allan hasn’t been mentioned in the talks, that’s one thing I can say,” he added.
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