Mika Baur Celtic transfer moves closer as the German midfielder arrives at Lennoxtown

It looks like Celtic fans may finally be able to put the long-running Mika Baur transfer saga behind them.

The German midfielder has arrived at Lennoxtown, completed his medical and is now closing in on a move to Celtic from Paderborn. The deal is understood to be worth up to £6.8 million, with Celtic paying an initial fee before potentially adding further payments through bonuses and add-ons.

For a transfer that has dragged on for weeks, this is the clearest indication yet that Baur is finally heading to Glasgow.

And, if everything goes to plan, Celtic supporters could soon get their first proper look at a player who has been attracting plenty of attention in Germany.

Celtic finally get their man

The Mika Baur Celtic transfer has been anything but straightforward.

Celtic had been working on a deal with Paderborn for some time, with the German club initially unwilling to let one of their key players leave without receiving a significant fee.

Earlier negotiations centred around a lower figure, while Paderborn were determined to get closer to their £7 million valuation.

The breakthrough has now arrived.

According to the latest reports, Celtic have agreed a package worth around £6.8 million, consisting of approximately £4.5 million up front and a further £2.3 million in potential add-ons. Some of those bonuses are understood to be linked to Champions League qualification.

That structure will certainly make sense from Celtic’s point of view. Rather than simply handing over the entire amount immediately, the club has once again negotiated a deal where some of the additional cost is dependent on success.

More importantly, though, the player is now at Lennoxtown.

Personal terms had already been agreed, so the final hurdle was getting Celtic and Paderborn to settle on the financial side of the transfer.

That hurdle now appears to have been cleared.

Who is Mika Baur?

For supporters who haven’t followed the German game closely, Baur is a 22-year-old Germany Under-21 international who has emerged as one of Paderborn’s most interesting young players.

He enjoyed an impressive campaign as Paderborn secured promotion, making 33 league appearances and contributing four goals and six assists. His performances helped establish him as one of the standout players in the side.

Baur is also a versatile player.

He can operate as a central midfielder and has experience playing in more advanced positions, giving Martin O’Neill another option when it comes to shaping his midfield.

That versatility could prove particularly useful at Celtic.

With European football on the line and a demanding domestic campaign ahead, having another midfielder capable of performing different roles can only be a positive.

From struggling at Paderborn to a £7m Celtic move

Perhaps the most interesting part of Baur’s story is that his rise hasn’t been completely straightforward.

When he initially arrived at Paderborn, things didn’t go according to plan. A loan spell with Dynamo Dresden gave him the opportunity to rebuild his confidence before he returned to Paderborn and established himself as an important player.

His breakthrough campaign eventually led to interest from elsewhere in Germany and, ultimately, Celtic.

Baur has also spoken about the importance of improving his mentality during that period, with work away from the pitch helping him regain confidence and get his career moving in the right direction.

That makes his rise even more interesting for Celtic supporters.

This isn’t simply a player who has been handed a big move because of one good season. There has been plenty of work behind the scenes to get him to this point.

A player who could be important for Celtic

From a Celtic perspective, the timing of the move could hardly be more important.

Martin O’Neill needs options in midfield, particularly with uncertainty surrounding the futures of several players in that area of the squad.

Baur’s ability to play deeper or further forward should give the Celtic manager another tactical option.

His numbers last season certainly suggest there is an attacking contribution there too. Four goals and six assists from midfield is an encouraging return, particularly for a player still only 22.

Of course, Celtic supporters have seen plenty of promising players arrive from abroad over the years only to discover that Scottish football presents a completely different challenge.

So nobody should expect Baur to walk into the team and immediately dominate.

But there is clearly something about him that has convinced Celtic’s recruitment team to persist with the deal.

The Champions League deadline adds urgency

There is another reason Celtic will be desperate to get the paperwork completed quickly.

Celtic are preparing for their Champions League play-off against LASK, with the first leg at Celtic Park on August 19.

The club has been working to register Baur before the relevant UEFA deadline, meaning there is a chance the new midfielder could be involved in the European squad if everything is completed in time.

That would be some introduction.

Imagine the scenario: Celtic finally complete a transfer that has been discussed for weeks, Baur arrives in Glasgow and within days finds himself involved in a Champions League play-off.

It would certainly be a baptism of fire.

UEFA regulations also provide some flexibility around additional players being registered before the first leg, so Celtic still have some breathing space if the final formalities take longer than expected.

Celtic fans can finally get excited

There has been plenty of frustration among Celtic supporters during this summer’s transfer window.

There were times when it looked like the club might miss out on Baur altogether, particularly with Paderborn refusing to lower their valuation.

But Celtic have stuck with the deal.

Now, with Baur at Lennoxtown and his medical completed, it finally looks like the long-running Mika Baur Celtic transfer saga is coming to an end.

And this could be a very interesting signing.

At 22, with promotion experience behind him, Germany Under-21 recognition and the ability to operate in several midfield roles, Baur looks like the type of player Celtic can develop and potentially build around.

The fee could eventually reach £6.8 million, which is certainly significant for a player arriving from the German second tier.

But if Baur can reproduce the form that helped Paderborn earn promotion, Celtic supporters may quickly decide that the money was well spent.

Now we just need to see him in the Hoops.

Welcome to Celtic, Mika. 🍀