Celtic could now be set to miss out on one of their priority targets, with a club reportedly agreeing a deal elsewhere. The Bhoys kick off their new season on Monday night, facing Dundee, and they wil do so without the help of a new starting goalkeeper.
Kasper Schmeichel retired at the end of last season, opening up a gap between the sticks, but it's a gap the Bhoys are yet to address as they continue to endure a difficult summer window.
Viljami Sinisalo filled in for Schmeichel during his troubles with injury last season, and as things stand, he will almost certainly start the new season as the number one, at least until a new starter is found.
Celtic dealt Horkas blow
Celtic have been linked with a move for Las Plamas goalkeeper Dinko Horkas for the last few weeks, with some reports of a rejected bid, while others have suggested only a proposed bid was made, rather than a formal offer.
Horkas was key to Las Palmas reaching the Segunda División playoffs last season, where they exited at the semi-final stage, and he was always likely to find a step up this summer.
Celtic were said to be interested, but it now looks as though another club is close to wrapping up a deal.
A Las Palmas source reportedly told CetltsAreHere: "We are close to finalising a deal with another club." The Canaries side would not offer an update on who that club is, although it does not appear to be Celtic.
It's a blow for the Hoops, who have not shown any clear interest in any other keepers, as far as we know. It's not easy to find a new starting goalkeeper, at least not for cheap, although there is always the option off falling back on a short-term solution, as Celtic did with Joe Hart and Schmeichel.
There aren't too many reliable veterans available on a free transfer at this stage, but there are always plenty available on the cheap. The goalkeeper position is one of many that needs to be addressed this summer, and it's another that the Bhoys could have done with being proactive in addressing.
But the wait goes on for the Bhoys, and it will be interesting to see who they will turn to now that Horkas appears to be on the move elsewhere. The goalkeeper position will have to become a priority sooner or later.
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