Cameron Carter-Vickers has agreed personal terms with Celtic and the Hoops now have three weeks to conclude a £6million deal with Spurs before other clubs can make their move.
Record Sport can reveal the defender, who was a rock at the heart of the Hoops defence during his spell on loan last season, has his heart set on staying with the champions long term.
But the clock is ticking if Celtic want to exercise the option written into Carter-Vickers ’ loan agreement which would see them shell out an initial £6m to secure his services.
Well-placed sources have confirmed a June 15 deadline is looming before that agreement with Spurs - a price which could rise to £10m with add-ons - can be taken off the table allowing other clubs to enter the race for the US international.
Newly-promoted Premier League pair Bournemouth and Fulham are watching the situation closely and are poised to pounce.
The Hoops last night made Daizen Maeda ’s loan switch from Yokohama Marinos permanent in a move believed to be worth £2million and are keen on following up with deals for fellow loanees Carter-Vickers and Jota.
Record Sport revealed last month how the defender's representatives believe Parkhead is the best option for the eight-times capped US defender and with Champions League group stage football now secured - and the financial windfall that brings - the Hoops’ position has been strengthened.
But the three-week timeline means any deal may have to be completed while Carter-Vickers is on international duty after his first call up in three years.
Gregg Berhalter has handed him the opportunity to make his case for a World Cup spot in friendlies against Morocco and Uruguay and two Concacaf Nations League games against Grenada and El Salvador, with all four games coming between June 2 and 15.
Carter-Vickers enjoyed a stunning season in the heart of the Hoops defence, making 46 appearances and scoring four goals including the winner in the 2-1 Old Firm victory at Ibrox in April.
Ange Postecoglou meanwhile says he’ll never resort to “parking the bus” even when Celtic face world class opposition in next season’s Champions League group stage.
The Aussie is preparing to lead the club back to European football’s top table after an absence of five years.
Asked if he’d be tempted to resort to a more defensive style against world class opposition, Postecoglou said: "I've never owned a bus, mate.
“I’m sure there'll be, as there has in my whole career, people telling me I need to adjust my approach and temper my aggression.
"I've done pretty well just sticking to it, to be fair, so I'll just keep going."
