Celtic's pursuit of Paderborn defender Mika Baur has hit a roadblock after the Bundesliga side rejected a £4million bid. Paderborn boss Ralf Kettemann called the potential transfer a 'worst case scenario' for his team, though he remains confident the German under-21 international will stay.
What did Paderborn's boss say?
Kettemann admitted the club is preparing for Baur's possible departure but insists they have contingency plans. 'Of course, we're considering the worst-case scenario,' he told NW Sport. 'But I'm confident both Mika and Laurin will stay. If not, we'll find a solution.'
Why is Celtic still optimistic?
Despite the setback, Celtic remains positive about securing Baur's signature. The Scottish champions have been tracking the 22-year-old for months and are expected to make another offer. Baur's contract expires next summer, but Paderborn is under no pressure to sell.
What's next for Celtic?
With the new Premiership season approaching, Celtic will need to strengthen their defense. Last season, they finished 3rd with 67 points, scoring 59 goals and conceding 35. They trail league leaders Heart of Midlothian by just 3 points. Their next fixture is against Motherwell on December 26, 2026, with Benjamin Nygren currently sidelined.
