Celtic Close To Secure The Services Of This Emerging German Midfielder: Why He Could Flourish As Engels’ Successor

Celtic Close To Secure The Services Of This Emerging German Midfielder: Why He Could Flourish As Engels’ Successor If a recent update from transfer expert Fabrizio Romano is true, Celtic have reached an agreement with Mika Baur and his entourage ahead of a potential summer move. They are now discussing the finances with Paderborn, as a fee of around £4m should be enough to secure his services, given his contract expires next summer. The 22-year-old Germany youth international progressed through RW Salem, Radolfzell, Stuttgart and SC Freiburg’s academy ranks before securing a regular role for the latter’s reserves in the third division. Paderborn roped him in for €100k in the summer of 2024, but loaned him to Dynamo Dresden six months later after sporadic appearances in the second tier. An impressive stint in the 3. Liga earned Baur a regular role in the 2.Bundesliga upon returning to Home Deluxe Arena from Dresden. He enjoyed a blistering 2025-26 season in the centre of the pitch, helping Paderborn secure top-flight status by defeating Wolfsburg in the playoffs. Meanwhile, the youngster is expected to forgo Bundesliga football in favour of the Scottish Premiership. Celtic have faced fans’ backlash for yet another slow window. But they are now stepping up the transfer activities, with Baur set to become their second summer signing after Camilo Durán. Why Celtic Might Bring Him To Parkhead As Engels’ Successor Celtic, on paper, are well-equipped in the middle of the park. Skipper Callum McGregor and Arne Engels have been preferred as the ‘double pivot’ in Martin O’Neill’s 4-2-3-1 formation. Also, the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Paulo Bernardo, Reo Hatate, and versatile Luke McCowan were deployed to challenge and cover them throughout the previous campaign. HANOVER, GERMANY – APRIL 18: Noel Aseko of Hannover fights for the ball with Mika Baur of Paderborn during the 2. Bundesliga match between Hannover 96 and SC Paderborn 07 at HDI-Arena on April 18, 2026 in Hanover, Germany. (Photo by Selim Sudheimer/Getty Images) Although the current crop contributed to their ‘domestic double’, the Hoops are likely to part ways with Engels amid strong interest from Nottingham Forest. Bernardo and Hatate, surplus to requirements under O’Neill, could be offloaded soon, thus leaving them with Oxlade-Chamberlain and McCowan as the only other central midfield options alongside skipper McGregor, who recently dismissed the exit rumours . Despite not having top-flight experience, Baur has shown his composure last season with four goals and six assists in 33 2. Bundesliga appearances. Primarily a ‘number 8’, the German prefers to play between midfield and attack. He also demonstrated his expertise from the base as a deep-lying playmaker, but has struggled at times in physical duels and aerial confrontations due to his smaller frame. Nevertheless, his technical ability and box-to-box movement should see him adapt to the aggression of the Scottish game, and the Celts must tie him down before it gets too late.