Alex Valle 'agrees' Celtic transfer as Barcelona green light another loan after contract renewal

Alex Valle is set to end Celtic 's search for a left back after agreeing a loan switch, according to a report.

The defender has penned a one-year contract extension with Barcelona, and Mundo Deportivo claim that he will now join Brendan Rodgers ' squad for the remainder of the season, with the Premiership champions paying a €1.5million loan fee. Greg Taylor is the only recognised senior left back on the books, with Alexandro Bernabei out on loan and well out of the picture under Rodgers.

Taylor's contract is up in the summer and he's yet to sign on beyond then. Barca opted against automatically extending Valle's deal before the first of August, which would have seen his release clause rise to €30million and his salary hiked by more than €1m. Instead, Valle's release clause has dropped to €3million, offering hope that a permanent deal could be done if all goes well in Glasgow.

He featured under Hansi Flick during pre-season, operating at right back as well as on the left-hand side of defence. However, youngster Gerard Martin has played ahead of him in both of Barcelona's La Liga fixtures so far.

He will now compete with Taylor for the left back spot and allow Rodgers to rotate when the hectic Champions League schedule begins.