Nadir Ciftci’s agent has made it clear that his client wants to join Celtic.
The Dundee United striker has turned down the chance to move to Wigan despite United accepting a £1 million-plus bid for him from the English League One side.
The Hoops had a second bid of their own for Ciftci rejected on Friday and it is believed they are still offering less cash than the sum on the table from the Latics.
Having said no to Wigan, Ciftci’s representative and former Celtic player Pierre van Hooijdonk spoke of how the Turk was “flattered” by the Parkhead club’s interest.
Tellingly, he also added that Ciftci’s relationship with United was “a very good one and we want to keep it that way.”
Van Hooijdonk said: “I know that there’s been an accepted offer from Wigan but Nadir has said no to that offer.
“Celtic have been in touch with two bids but those have been rejected by Dundee United and that is the status at the moment.
“He is flattered by Celtic’s interest but that is quite normal when you realise the size of the club. Anyone would be interested.
“Our relationship with Dundee United is a very good one and we want to keep it that way.
“We will just wait and see what happens over the next few days and weeks.”
It is unclear what a breakdown of the relationship between United and Ciftci would involve.
For example, were the player, who has a year left on his contract, to hand in a written transfer request United could rightly reply that they have agreed to let him move on to Wigan as the largest bidders thus far.
Van Hooijdonk insists Ciftci does not want to fall out with his current club but believes his client will have the final say on his next move.
The former Holland star added: “At the end of the day the player always decides what happens in my opinion but we are not having a big argument with Dundee United.”
With United having decided they won’t be selling the player to the Hoops the situation has reached a bit of a stalemate.
What would move the matter on is if another club, which is more attractive to Ciftci than Wigan, puts in an offer that the Tangerines deem to be acceptable but that hasn’t happened yet.