Fabian Rieder to Celtic transfer opening emerges as agent breaks silence on hurdle that must be 'cleared financially'

Fabian Rieder's agent has played down rumours that the midfielder is close to a move to the Bundesliga - which could give Celtic an opening to land a deal.

Brendan Rodgers is reportedly an admirer of the 21-year-old after he helped Young Boys as they clinched the Swiss title last season as well as making his international breakthrough with the Switzerland national side. The Scottish Premiership champions may have to flex their financial muscle to land a deal with reports suggesting a £13million price tag has been placed on Rieder ahead of a potential summer bidding war.

But with impressing in the Champions League high up on Rodgers' agenda, a deal could be a big statement for the Euro ambitions of the Hoops going into the next campaign. Alongside Celtic, Swiss reports suggest Eintracht Frankfurt, Borussia Monchengladbach, Bayern Leverkusen and Wolfsburg have made contract with the Bern outfit.

Some outlets went as far as to declare a move to Wolfsburg was "close" while Rieder's former boss Gerry Seoane is also touted keen on a deal having managed the player during his time with Young Boys. However, his agent Fabian von Matt has played down any imminent deal with Gladbach having to sell players to fund a move.

Asked about the Wolfsburg deal, he told Blick: "Not true. Gladbach is one of the interested parties, that's right. We are in contact with the club, that's true too.

"But not only with Gladbach. And first the path must be cleared financially for an immigration of this dimension. In other words: Gladbach has to sell first. Fabian is at the top of the list at Gladbach."

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