Mika Baur Celtic Transfer Deal Brokered by Ex-Rangers Star Glasgow 2026

Key Points

• Personal Terms Agreed: Celtic FC have reached an agreement on personal terms with 22-year-old SC Paderborn 07 midfielder Mika Baur regarding a summer transfer to Parkhead.
• Former Rival Involved: Former Rangers player turned football agent Christian Nerlinger is actively brokering the transaction, leveraging strong existing relationships with Celtic officials.
• Club-to-Club Negotiations: Talks between Celtic and 2. Bundesliga outfit SC Paderborn 07 remain ongoing, with the German side valuing the player at approximately £2.5 million (€3 million).
• Easing Recruitment Pressure: The potential arrival follows frustration among Celtic supporters over a slow transfer window, which had previously yielded only Colombian forward Camilo Durán from Qarabağ FK for £5.5 million.
• Outgoings on Horizon: The deal develops alongside anticipated high-profile exits, including winger Daizen Maeda, who is subject to interest and agreement in principle from Ipswich Town.

Glasgow (Glasgow Express) July 22, 2026 – uk/sports/celtic-fc/">Celtic FC have reached an agreement on personal terms with 22-year-old German midfielder Mika Baur as negotiations continue with 2. Bundesliga club SC Paderborn 07. The transaction is being brokered by former Rangers player Christian Nerlinger, whose agency represents Baur and maintains close working ties with the Scottish Premiership champions. Direct club-to-club talks are currently under way to determine a final transfer fee, with SC Paderborn seeking a figure in the region of £2.5 million for the versatile midfielder.

What Are the Key Details of Celtic’s Negotiations for Mika Baur?

As reported by transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano on social media platform X, Celtic moved swiftly to establish contract terms directly with the player before advancing discussions with his parent club. Fabrizio Romano stated that:

“Understand Celtic have reached an agreement with Mika Baur on personal terms. Club to club talks ongoing with Paderborn.”

The news was further expanded upon by journalist Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sports Germany, who confirmed that Celtic are seeking an immediate resolution to the transfer and highlighted the key intermediary role played in the negotiations. As reported by Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sports Germany:

“Celtic are now pushing to sign Mika Baur with immediate effect. 22 y/o central midfielder is keen to join Celtic and personal terms are not an issue. Negotiations with SC Paderborn have now started. Agent Christian Nerlinger, who has excellent connections to Celtic, is working on the deal.”

As detailed by journalist James McLaughlin of Celtic Way, Baur had attracted interest across German football prior to Celtic’s formal approach. Around five Bundesliga clubs, alongside 2.

Bundesliga side Schalke 04, had reportedly been monitoring Baur’s development. SC Paderborn had initially intended to extend Baur’s contract, which currently runs until 2027, but Sky Sports Germany indicates that a valuation of £2.5 million was established ahead of summer enquiries.

Who Is Brokering Mika Baur’s Proposed Transfer to Celtic?

The involvement of former Rangers midfielder Christian Nerlinger has emerged as a notable element in the transfer process. Nerlinger, who represented Rangers during his playing career from 2001 to 2004, now works as a prominent football agency representative.

Despite his historical ties to Ibrox, Nerlinger has developed strong professional relationships with Celtic’s executive team.

He previously managed the transfer of German winger Nicolas Kühn during his time in Glasgow, including Kühn’s subsequent transfer to Italian outfit Como. That existing working relationship has allowed smooth progress on player-side negotiations for Baur.

Who Is Mika Baur and What Capabilities Does He Bring?

Mika Joel Baur, born on 9 July 2004 in Salem, Germany, is a 22-year-old professional footballer who primarily plays as a central midfielder or right-sided attacking midfielder. Standing 1.72 metres tall, Baur developed through the youth academy at SC Freiburg before making his senior transition with SC Freiburg II.

In June 2024, Baur signed permanently with SC Paderborn 07 in the 2. Bundesliga. During the 2024–25 season, he completed a loan spell at Dynamo Dresden in 3. Liga, gaining consistent first-team appearances. Across the 2025–26 campaign for Paderborn, Baur delivered his strongest professional return to date, registering four goals in 33 league appearances while operating in multiple tactical roles across central midfield, attacking midfield, and occasionally on the left wing.

Internationally, Baur has represented Germany at youth levels, earning caps for the Under-18, Under-19, Under-20, and Under-21 national sides.

How Does This Transfer Fit Into Celtic’s Summer Window Strategy?

Celtic’s summer transfer window has been a subject of significant scrutiny from the club’s fanbase due to the pace of incoming business. Prior to the breakthrough with Baur, Celtic had completed only one senior signing in Colombian forward Camilo Durán, who joined from Azerbaijani champions Qarabağ FK in a £5.5 million deal.

Concurrently, Celtic have faced potential high-profile departures. Japanese international winger Daizen Maeda has been heavily linked with a move to English Premier League side Ipswich Town, with an offer accepted in principle.

Furthermore, previous target pursuits—including Uruguay international left-back Marcelo Saracchi, former Leicester City striker Kelechi Iheanacho, and New Zealand international Elijah Just—either stalled or concluded without agreements, heightening the urgency for new squad reinforcements.

What Is the Background of This Particular Transfer Development?

The background to Celtic’s move for Mika Baur reflects a strategic turn toward young, adaptable talent from Central Europe, driven in part by changes in Celtic’s squad hierarchy and European requirements.

Over recent seasons, Celtic’s recruitment structure has increasingly targeted players from the German leagues, a strategy exemplified by the signing and subsequent development of Nicolas Kühn and Arne Engels.

The agency connections established during those deals, particularly with former Bundesliga figures such as Christian Nerlinger, established direct lines of communication between Glasgow and German club executives.

SC Paderborn acquired Baur in 2024 with the intention of developing him into a core starter or realizing a resale value. Following his loan period at Dynamo Dresden and his integration into Paderborn’s starting eleven during the 2025–26 campaign, Baur’s market value rose steadily toward the €3 million to €5 million range.

When Celtic identified the need for dynamic central midfield options capable of playing multiple positions, Baur emerged as a prime target, leading directly to the current formal negotiations between the two clubs.

How Could This Development Affect Celtic FC, Supporters, and Team Dynamics?

The completion of Mika Baur’s transfer carries several distinct implications for Celtic FC, its coaching staff, and its wider fan base:

• Easing Fan Frustration: Securing Baur on personal terms provides immediate positive momentum following growing supporter criticism regarding slow recruitment. It demonstrates proactive work by the board to address squad depth ahead of domestic and European campaigns.
• Tactical Flexibility for the Manager: Baur’s capacity to operate as a central box-to-box midfielder, an advanced playmaker, or an inverted right winger provides valuable tactical versatility. This versatility allows the manager to rotate mid-game without sacrificing technical quality or tactical structure.
• Mitigating Expected Squad Departures: With key attacking players such as Daizen Maeda linked with exits, adding Baur helps preserve midfield creativity and pressing energy, ensuring squad stability during transitional squad phases.
• Commercial and Squad Value Strategy: At 22 years of age with international youth experience for Germany, Baur fits Celtic’s established financial model of recruiting promising European players with significant potential for on-field impact and future resale value.