Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers was among the managers reportedly chasing Moult.
Celtic were interested in Preston-bound striker Louis Moult, according to the Lancashire Evening Post.
The newspaper claims Moult, who is out of contract at Motherwell next summer, is close to finalising a move to Deepdale from the start of the January transfer window.
Moult has scored 14 goals in 22 games this Scottish football season – two of which came against Celtic’s Old Firm rivals Rangers, another club credited with interest in the Englishman’s services.
And while Celtic are hardly desperate for them currently, tying Moult to a pre-contract agreement could have proved an astute piece of business considering recent developments.
As recently as overnight, Moussa Dembele prompted fresh speculation about his long-term future at Celtic Park, when he told the Daily Mail: “I can say [staying with the Bhoys next season] it is part of the plan but the plan can change.
“As long as I am here I will give 100 per cent but I don’t know until when. I just focus on my football and give my best for the club and we will see.”
While Celtic’s other main striker, Leigh Griffiths, has found himself overlooked of late by Brendan Rodgers, in favour of Paris Saint-Germain loanee Odsonne Edouard, whose own future is uncertain beyond next summer.
Though unlikely, it is plausible that neither of those players will still be in Glasgow this time next year – and having Moult on board would have softened the blow of any forthcoming departures.
Will Celtic rue their apparent failure to sign Moult?
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