CELTIC have set their sights on signing Polish powerhouse Mariusz Lewandowski.

That's the claim today from Shakhtar Donetsk who reported the SPL champions have opened talks with them about the 6ft 1in holding midfielder.

The 29 year-old was part of the Polish team knocked out of the Euro 2008 Finals, and is rated by his Ukraine club at around £5million.

Bolton, Aston Villa, Portsmouth and Wigan have also been linked with Lewandowski while Everton were expected to take him on trial until he picked up a foot injury at the finals.

But, Gordon Strachan could jump to the head of the chasing pack by tabling an offer for the man who has impressed when playing against Celtic in the Champions League.

Speaking from Majorca today, Lewandowski said: "I'm on holiday just now, but there are people dealing with this situation who I trust. Celtic are a big club and play regularly in the Champions League, so it would be a good place to play my football."

Celtic denied the reports from Shakhtar that they had actually tabled an offer for the player, but they have indicated a powerful holding midfield player in the Lewandowski mould is one of their priority signings.

Strachan's net is closing in on a clutch of targets as he gets set to splash serious cash.

He is hot on the heels of Spartak Moscow defender Martin Stranzl, and continues to keep a watching brief on James McFadden, who has made it clear to Birmingham he wants out.

Stranzl's contract at Spartak runs out at the end of this year, but the Moscow club are working hard to activate a 12-month extension on the £3.5m-rated Austrian's current deal.

However, the 27-year-old's agent, Thomas Boehm, has indicated an offer from Celtic would be considered.

Strachan knows about Stranzl from Celtic's two games against Spartak last season.

But he is even more aware of the qualities of McFadden, who will quit Birmingham despite the Midlands club insisting he is not for sale.

Faddy, the subject of three offers last week - one a reported £5.5m bid from Celtic - wants to play at a higher level than the Championship.

Sources at Parkhead have dismissed claims from Brum they had offered the cash deal as well as Bobo Balde, but Strachan tried to get him on loan as recently as January.

Newcastle, Middles-brough, Portsmouth and Wigan have all been linked with Faddy in the past, but it's believed a move to Parkhead is his preferred option.

Bereaved Dutch defender Khalid Boulahrouz is also reported to be on Celtic's radar.