Fabian Rieder transfer fess up as Celtic linked playmaker sees Bundesliga admirers hit the fear

Celtic's potential pursuit of Fabian Rieder has seen a leading contender for the Swiss' signature drifting out of the race.

The highly-rated midfielder would be a marquee signing for Brendan Rodgers to kickstart his second stint in charge of the Scottish champions. The Irishman has added the firepower of Australian winger Marco Tilio on the flank and Odin Thiago Holm in the engine room to counteract the loss of top star Jota who sealed a £25million move to Saudi side Al-Ittihad as pre-season began. But the bulging cheque from the Portuguese's big-money exit has Parkhead punters looking for a top-dollar new arrival.

The Young Boys star has attracted the champions' interest but it appears the 21-year-old has a long list of suitors for his summer signature. One such side being Bundesliga outfit Borussia Mönchengladbach, but so far recruitment is not going the way of boss Gerardo Seoane, who has had to deal with a mass exodus of top talent from his German side. The likes of Marcus Thuram Lars Stindl and Ramy Bensebaini has all moved on while business on the incoming front is slowing.

Rieder was on Gladbach's transfer shopping list but now the club's Sporting Director Roland Virkus reckons it is a balancing act for high side who are still in the hunt for a high-profile target. It could mean the door is left ajar for Rodgers and Celtic's recruitment team to speed in, as the Irishman previously spoke of the work being done in the background to boost incomings.

Virkus told Nau.ch: “We will not be able to replace the regular players who have left us one-for-one. It's more about taking care of talent and promoting it. We can only spend what we earn. But it's clear that we also want to sign one or the other (based) player."

Rieder