Celtic’s Niko Sigur pursuit ‘dead’ after Champions League exit
Celtic’s pursuit of Hajduk Split midfielder Niko Sigur is reportedly over following the club’s damaging Champions League exit.
The 22-year-old has been on the Hoops’ radar since January, with Celtic believed to have been considering reviving their interest during the summer transfer window.
Sigur enhanced his reputation with Canada at this summer’s home World Cup and has reportedly been made available by Hajduk for around €4million.
However, Celtic’s dramatic play-off defeat to LASK appears to have forced a rethink over their remaining transfer business, with qualification for the lucrative Champions League league phase seemingly central to some potential deals.
Scott Burns of the Daily Record said on Hotline Live this week: “They had a few deals lined up and it was a proviso that they made the Champions League.”
Asked specifically about Celtic’s pursuit of Sigur, Burns added: “But that now I’m told is now dead. I don’t think they’ll have the finances to go and do that deal.”
It remains unclear precisely why Celtic are no longer expected to pursue the Canada international, particularly given Hajduk’s reported €4m valuation.
The development comes despite Martin O’Neill still appearing to require additional midfield options following Celtic’s collapse in Austria.
Arne Engels’ £22m departure to West Ham earlier this month removed an athletic, box-to-box presence from O’Neill’s squad, with Celtic yet to directly replace the Belgian.
Torino midfielder Gvidas Gineitis remains another name linked with the Hoops, although the Lithuania international is expected to command a considerably higher fee than Sigur.
There could yet be movement at Torino, with the Serie A club reportedly advancing talks to sign Sporting CP midfielder Daniel Bragança, potentially opening the door for Gineitis to depart.
Meanwhile, Genk have also been pursuing Sigur but are now reportedly looking towards Brondby midfielder Benjamin Tahirovic, another player previously linked with Celtic.
