Chairman makes courtesy call to Celtic on striker, as Hoops go back for Bárkas amid Montpellier and FC Basel interest

Chairman Barry Fry has kept Celtic informed, as requested, on any developments surrounding a transfer of the Peterborough striker Ivan Toney. The 24 year old, who scored 26 goals last season for the English League One side, has now been given permission to speak to another club and that has triggered Fry’s call to Celtic.

The Peterborough Chairman revealed his contact with Celtic. “”We have given a club permission to speak to Ivan because they met our valuation. It’s not Celtic but, out of courtesy, I let Celtic know what had happened. They asked to be kept informed and we informed them. I haven’t heard from them since then,” the Daily Record reports.

Gavin Strachan of course knows Toney very well indeed as he worked closely with the striker at Peterborough last season. The son of the former Celtic boss Gordon Strachan joined Celtic last month, replacing Damien Duff who returned home to Dublin for family reasons, taking on a coaching role with the Irish FA.

Gavin Strachan will be able to provide Neil Lennon with the best possible opinion on whether the League One goalscorer could step up to Celtic’s level.

Celtic at the moment seem more interested in pursuing the West Ham striker Albian Ajeti, as we reported on Tuesday evening and of course the number 1 priority remains sorting out a second first team ready goalkeeper, with the news yesterday indicating that Neil Lennon has now turned his attentions to the AEK Athens and Greek international keeper Vasílios Bárkas, as we reported yesterday morning.

Celtic apparently are preparing a second big for the keeper with the Greek side looking to secure a transfer in the region of €5m to €6m. Celtic’s initial bid of €3.5m plus a €1m bonus payable to AEK Athens if Celtic reach the Champions League was rejected.

Both French side Montpellier and FC Basel from Switzerland are also reported to be interested in the 26 year old AEK Athens keeper.

About Author

The Celtic Star founder and editor David Faulds has edited numerous Celtic books over the past decade or so including several from Lisbon Lions, Willie Wallace, Tommy Gemmell and Jim Craig. Earliest Celtic memories include a win over East Fife at Celtic Park and the 4-1 League Cup loss to Partick Thistle as a 6 year old. Best game? Easy 4-2, 1979 when Ten Men Won the League. Email editor@thecelticstar.co.uk

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