Sunderland are reportedly joining the race for Greg Taylor.
According to the Daily Record, Celtic have now returned with a new bid for Kilmarnock left back Greg Taylor after hearing Sunderland were swooping in.
The Bhoys lost two left backs this summer, with Emilio Izaguirre’s contract coming to an end before Kieran Tierney was sold on to Arsenal.
Boli Bolingoli has arrived from Rapid Vienna, but Neil Lennon wants one more left back – and Taylor has become a top target, with The Herald suggesting over the weekend that a £3million deal was just days away from completion.
However, the Record claim that Celtic actually considered backing away from a deal for Taylor after learning that was the asking price, but have suddenly returned with a new bid.
That’s because Sunderland have made a bid too, and their attempts to hijack Celtic’s interest have sparked the Bhoys back into life with a new offer of their own.
Further talks are expected with Kilmarnock over the coming days, and the 21-year-old will have plenty to think about as he weighs up his next destination.
Celtic can offer European football, a title race and a stay in Scotland, but having grown up supporting Rangers, it wouldn’t be a surprise if he looked for a move elsewhere.
A move to League One is a step down for Taylor, especially given his Scotland international hopes, and it’s unclear whether Sunderland can actually meet that Kilmarnock asking price.
He would at least play regular first-team football at the Stadium of Light, compared to battling with Bolingoli, and the impressive left back will now have a difficult decision to make if both teams succeed with their bids.
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