Vinicius Souza's Celtic transfer domino effect as City Group moves pave the way for Lommel exit

Belgian Pro League club Lommel are lining up a move for Brazilian midfielder Metinho as reports continue to link current battler Vinicius Souza with a transfer to Celtic.

Lommel are part of the City Group which the Hoops have strong connections to, having previously signed players like Patrick Roberts and Jeremie Frimpong from top brass Manchester City. New links have emerged at one of the other sides in that collective, with regards the the 23-year-old Brazilian, who spent last season on loan at K.V Mechelen.

Turkish giants Fenerbache are also said to be keen on the midfielder who could help fill a void left by midfield enforcer Nir Bitton, who has returned to his native Israel with Macabbi Tel Aviv after nine years in Glasgow. It's reported a fee of around £4 million may be needed to take Souza away from Belgium and to the Scottish champions this summer.

Reports from respected transfer guru Fabrizio Romano though state Lommel are already seeking an addition to the midfield. Metinho will leave French club Troyes to link up with them and will hold a medical.

It could open the door to Souza's departure with more bodies to cover him in the engine room. Celtic have already completed one signing this week, Alexandro Bernabei from Lanus.

He is the club's first Argentine player and the left-back provides competition for Greg Taylor. Jota is expected to arrive shortly from Benfica.

Boss Ange Postecoglou is gearing his men up for the Champions League group stages this autumn and some are back in pre-season ahead of their league title defence. Already signed on top of Bernabei are goalkeeper Benjamin Siegrist, defender Cameron Carter-Vickers and forward Daizen Maeda, the latter two turning their loan deals into permanent