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Celtic could be set for a belated transfer spree after long-time target Mika Baur was reportedly given permission to hold transfer talks. German media outlet Neue Westfalische has reported that newly promoted Bundesliga club Paderborn confirmed Baur had been given time off for talks and missed training on Wednesday morning. Celtic have been linked with interest in the 22-year-old throughout the summer but a transfer fee was seen to be the only stumbling block. The attacking midfielder is entering the final season of his contract with Paderborn, who he joined from Freiburg in 2024. The Germany Under-21 international had already made more than 60 league appearances for Freiburg’s second team as a teenager and has made more than 40 first-team appearances for Paderborn. Celtic have also been strongly tipped to sign Egypt and Real Oviedo winger Haissem Hassan in the coming days. Read more: Lionel Messi unsure if he will play ‘for much longer’ after death of his father The 24-year-old former France youth international impressed in the knockout stages of the World Cup, though played just 126 minutes at the tournament across North America. Hassan is a left-footed winger, but was deployed on the right flank by Egypt, scoring in the narrow 3-2 defeat to eventual finalists Argentina. His stats in last season’s La Liga were somewhat less eye catching, albeit in a relegated Oviedo side, as he registered three assists in 37 league appearances, failing to hit the net. The Bhoys have purchased two forwards in Kasper Hogh and Camilo Duran this window, spending almost €20m on the pair, with potential add on fees incurring. There has been speculation that Martin O’Neill may hold a preference for starting both strikers, with Hassan potentially fitting in as a right winger and the left flank to be occupied by Yang Hyun-jun. Hogh’s stock has risen quickly in Glasgow after a hat-trick against Kilmarnock, having been nullified on debut against Dundee FC. Celtic face Dundee United in the Scottish League Cup this weekend, with a 5:45pm kick off on Saturday at the home of the Tangerines. Read more: New Man City signing Elliot Anderson not swayed by Man Utd recruitment push Meanwhile, Michael Owen believes Liverpool’s pursuit of Paris St Germain winger Bradley Barcola is key to their title aspirations this season. After a disappointing defence of their Premier League crown, finishing fifth, head coach Arne Slot was replaced by Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola. So far the Basque has not been blessed with the number of quality of signings his predecessor was – Slot was presented with £450million-worth of talent including recording signings Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz – with centre-backs Jeremy Jacquet and on-loan Ronald Araujo and Spain winger Victor Munoz the only arrivals so far. With the departure of Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike’s long-term Achilles injury, Liverpool are light up front and Barcola is a long-term target but PSG’s current price of £145m far exceeds their valuation. “I do think Liverpool need more, but it looks like Barcola is the one they want and it will cost them a huge amount of money to get him in,” Owen told Metro. “But if they can do that and add more depth, more quality, then they can really challenge for the title. “Last season at Liverpool wasn’t great, the style of play wasn’t as good as it had been and they conceded far too many goals. “But Slot leaving and Iraola replacing him means a new style of play. He brings a lot of excitement from the way he played at Bournemouth, but Liverpool are a much bigger club and the pressure mounts up now.”