Celtic are said to have made up their minds over former left-back Greg Taylor amid talk he could return to Parkhead. The Bhoys are in need of another left-back to cover for Kieran Tierney, who has a rather colourful injury history.
The Bhoys could have signed last season's loan star Marcelo Saracchi on a permanent deal for just £1.5million, or thereabouts, but they decided not to despite Martin O'Neill being a self-confessed fan of the Uruguayan.
That means Celtic remain in the market for the left-back, and there was talk they could try to re-sign former defender Taylor, who has been struggling for game time at PAOK, making only 12 league appearances last season.
But according to journalist Alan Nixon, Celtic have decided not to pursue a deal for Taylor, even rejecting the chance to sign him on loan.
Taylor, who is now 28 years of age, made 156 league appearances for Celtic in his six years at the club, but a return does not look to be on the cards. When he last spoke, Taylor said he was determined to see out his contract at PAOK and continue fighting for his place, adding that all options are on the table when his deal expires.
But whether PAOK have told him he can leave since then is not known, and to what extent Celtic were offered the player is also unspecified.
Perhaps more importantly, Celtic do need to address that left-back spot to make sure they have proper cover, especially given they are going to be playing in Europe. Tierney did well to stay fit for much of last season, but we already know he cannot play every week in the league and every other week in Europe for a sustained period.
Whoever the new left-back is going to be is going to see plenty of minutes, which may be why Celtic are being careful not to simply add a body. There seems to be a more deliberate approach, although left-back links have been few and far between up to now, with the priority having been strengthening the attack and midfield.
Celtic look to be done as far as striker and winger deals go, but we are still likely to see another midfielder added, as well as a goalkeeper and a left-back. But further additions are not likely before Wednesday's Champions League qualifying playoff first leg with LASK, by O'Neill's own admission.
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