Celtic Near Mika Baur Transfer Deal as Reo Hatate Prepares Departure Glasgow 2026

Key Points

• Celtic have agreed a deal worth approximately £6.8 million with German club SC Paderborn 07 for 22-year-old midfielder Mika Baur.
• The German under-21 international is traveling to Glasgow to undergo medical checks and finalize personal terms as Martin O’Neill’s fourth summer signing.
• Paderborn head coach Ralf Kettemann confirmed the transfer is imminent, acknowledging the sporting and personal loss to his team.
• The incoming capture of Mika Baur is expected to pave the way for Japanese midfielder Reo Hatate to depart Parkhead during the current transfer window.
• Premier League side West Ham United remain in active negotiations for Belgian international Arne Engels, with Celtic holding out for a valuation near £25 million.
• Celtic are also finalizing the signing of winger Haissem Hassan following earlier summer deals for striker Kasper Høgh and winger Camilo Durán, while pursuing a left-back on loan and a new goalkeeper.

Glasgow (Glasgow Express) August 12, 2026 – Celtic Football Club are on the verge of completing the signing of German under-21 international midfielder Mika Baur from 2. Bundesliga side SC Paderborn 07 in a transfer valued at around £6.8 million. The 22-year-old midfielder is expected in Scotland shortly to undergo medical tests and formalize a four-year contract at Parkhead. The successful resolution of the long-running negotiations provides crucial reinforcements for manager Martin O’Neill ahead of Celtic’s UEFA Champions League play-off first leg against Austrian champions LASK Linz next week. Baur’s arrival is set to trigger further movements in Celtic’s midfield engine room, clearing the path for Reo Hatate to move elsewhere while English Premier League club West Ham United continue talks over a high-value move for Belgian midfielder Arne Engels.

What Are the Final Details of the Mika Baur Transfer to Celtic?

Celtic and SC Paderborn 07 reached a financial compromise following weeks of firm negotiations over the midfielder’s valuation. While Celtic initially lodged an opening proposal of around £4 million (€4.7 million), the German outfit remained persistent in seeking closer to £7 million for a player entering the final 12 months of his contract.

Baur had previously agreed personal terms on a four-year deal, indicating to Paderborn officials that a transition to Scottish football was his explicit preference.

As reported by OneFootball, Paderborn head coach Ralf Kettemann publicly addressed the pending departure during a press briefing, stating:

“The transfer isn’t done yet, but I have to assume that it will happen. I have to prepare for it. It’s not as if it wasn’t a live issue before today.”

Kettemann added that losing the Germany under-21 international

“hurts both from a sporting and personal perspective,”

emphasizing that “every player who leaves us hurts.”

Once formalities are concluded in Glasgow, Baur will become the fourth senior arrival of the summer transfer window under O’Neill, following the previous captures of Colombian winger Camilo Durán and Danish striker Kasper Høgh, who joined from Bodø/Glimt for a club-record fee.

How Does Mika Baur’s Arrival Impact Reo Hatate’s Future at Parkhead?

The imminent addition of Baur directly impacts the structure of Celtic’s central midfield, creating room for structural reshuffling before the transfer window closes. As reported by The National, Baur’s arrival is expected to clear the way for Japanese international Reo Hatate to seek a new challenge away from Celtic Park.

Hatate, who has been an influential presence in central midfield across recent seasons, has attracted interest from several European and domestic suitors. Celtic’s recruitment team had reportedly explored various operational avenues during negotiations with Paderborn, including potential player trade frameworks involving Hatate, though a direct cash transaction ultimately proved the preferred path for all parties.

With Baur arriving to occupy a similar dynamic box-to-box role, the Celtic hierarchy is now prepared to review incoming formal proposals for Hatate’s transfer.

What Is the Current Status of West Ham’s Bid for Arne Engels?

While Baur prepares to enter, Celtic remain in firm discussions regarding the future of 22-year-old Belgian international midfielder Arne Engels.

As reported by Sky Sports, West Ham United are in active negotiations to secure Engels, with Celtic holding firm on a valuation of approximately £25 million.

Engels, who arrived at Celtic last season and retains two years on his current contract, previously attracted transfer interest from English Premier League clubs, including Nottingham Forest, who saw multiple bids turned down during the winter transfer window.

As reported by Sky Sports, Celtic manager Martin O’Neill confirmed during a pre-match press conference ahead of the domestic league opener against Dundee that an initial approach had been submitted for Engels, but noted that the figure offered did not “remotely meet their valuation.”

Despite the initial shortfall, West Ham are expected to return with an improved proposal closer to Celtic’s £25 million assessment.

Which Other Summer Transfers Are Celtic Pursuing?

Beyond the central midfield developments, Celtic’s board and recruitment staff are managing several concurrent transactions across the squad:

• Haissem Hassan: As reported by The National, Celtic are close to confirming a deal in the region of £6 million to £9 million for French-born Egyptian winger Haissem Hassan, following the completion of his medical checks.
• Defensive Depth: The Scottish champions are advancing talks to secure a loan deal for a natural left-back to bolster defensive rotation prior to the upcoming European fixtures.
• Goalkeeping Target: Negotiations remain active for a senior goalkeeper to add competition between the posts.
• Alistair Johnston: Right-back Alistair Johnston has emerged as a target for English Premier League outfit Everton. However, Celtic maintain a strong stance and are reluctant to sanction a sale unless an offer comfortably exceeds £15 million.

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What Is the Background to These Midfield Developments at Celtic?

The rapid acceleration of Celtic’s transfer activity follows public disclosures regarding the club’s squad depth and recruitment ambitions earlier in the summer.

During Celtic’s annual general meeting, chief executive Michael Nicholson highlighted the financial and logistical complexities of the transfer market, noting that competing for top-tier talent often places the club in direct bidding contests against well-funded English Championship and Premier League teams.

At the same assembly, manager Martin O’Neill expressed a candid assessment of his squad, emphasizing that the team required substantial quality additions to remain competitive across both domestic competitions and the expanded European calendar.

In response, Celtic’s hierarchy committed significant capital toward primary targets, breaking the club’s transfer record to secure striker Kasper Høgh and moving aggressively to secure target options such as Camilo Durán, Haissem Hassan, and Mika Baur.

How Will These Transfer Developments Affect Celtic and Their Supporters?

The prospective arrival of Mika Baur alongside potential departures for Reo Hatate and Arne Engels will reshape Celtic’s tactical profile ahead of a demanding 2026–27 campaign.

For the coaching staff, securing Baur before the UEFA Champions League play-off tie against LASK Linz offers immediate physical energy and technical composure in central midfield. Baur’s capability to drive forward from deep areas fits O’Neill’s preference for dynamic transitions, offsetting any potential loss of creativity if Hatate departs.

For the Celtic supporters, the transfer movement demonstrates a significant financial reinvestment by the board, addressing concerns raised at the annual general meeting. However, the potential exit of high-profile starters such as Engels or Hatate creates a necessity for rapid integration.

If West Ham meet the £25 million valuation for Engels, the substantial windfall would provide Celtic with significant financial flexibility to finalize secondary targets at left-back and goalkeeper before the deadline, ensuring squad depth remains robust across all competitions.