CELTIC could be about to cash in on two of their most experienced midfielders as Nir Bitton and Stefan Johansen edged closer to moves away from the club.
Angel Gomez, the Espanyol sporting director, claimed discussions had started between themselves and the Israeli whose price tag is expected to be around £6million, which is far less than it would have been midway through last season when Bitton was playing the best football of his career.
And Johansen, another whose form dropped off dramatically in the previous campaign, could be on his way to Turkish giants Galatasaray if Celtic accept their offer of £3m.
Bitton signed a new five-year deal just over a year ago at a time when he was the club's best performer and Arsenal were openly monitoring his progress.
But he badly lost his way in second half of the season and while the midfielder remains a class act, it does appear that his time at Celtic may be about to end.
"We know him well. He is a good midfielder," revealed Espanyol's deal maker Gomez. "At the moment, there is no offer. Just talking. We are collecting information about him and many other players."
Johansen went from Player of the Year to losing his place in the side in the space of just a few months last time out.
And while Brendan Rodgers may still see Bitton as one to keep, Galatasaray feel confident they can persuade the Norwegian, Player of the Year two seasons ago, to sign for them on a £1million-a-year contract.
What is certain is that there will be quite considerable movement at Celtic over the next two months.
But one player who is back is the much-maligned Efe Abrose who has joined up with the Celtic squad in Slovenia which suggests any move away has been postponed.
The defender, who has been linked with a £1.5m move to Bayer Leverkusen, could even feature in the friendly against Marabor on Saturday evening.
The Nigerian, guilty of many mistakes last season, may still be required to do a job in the short-term as Erik Sviatchenko could be the only fit and available defender for the first Champions League qualifying game against either Flora Talinn or Lincoln Red Imps.
Charlie Mulgrew has yet to sign a new contract, while and Dedryck Boyata and Jozo Simunovic are still injured.
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