Celtic are edging closer to landing derby hero Cameron Carter-Vickers permanently in the summer - despite solid interest in the defender from three Premier League sides.
Burnley have joined Wolves and Leicester City in the hunt for the 24-year-old US international whose goal at Ibrox on Sunday moved the Hoops to the brink of the title.
But talks between the Parkhead club and Tottenham are ongoing with a £6million option to buy locked into Carter-Vickers’ loan deal in the east end of Glasgow.
That price could rise as high as £10m with future add-ons.
And Record Sport understands the player’s camp believe Celtic - with Champions League football almost secured for next season - is the best place for the 24-year-old to take his game onto the next level as he is enjoying the finest spell of his career in Glasgow.
Carter-Vickers’ star continues to rise after his man of the match display at Ibrox on Sunday in which he followed up his goal with an outstanding backs-to-the-wall defensive display alongside Carl Starfelt.
Those types of performances have alerted the Premier League trio who are closely monitoring the player who has made 39 appearances in the Hoops since his deadline day switch last August.
The eight-times capped US international is also keen to force his way back into Gregg Berhalter’s squad ahead of the World Cup in November and realises he needs to be playing regular top level football for that to happen.
Hoops boss Ange Postecoglou confirmed in February that talks over deals to make Carter-Vickers’ and Jota’s loan deals permanent were about to start - insisting he wouldn’t personally try to convince either as he preferred players to prove their commitment to the club.
He said: “It’ll take care of itself. We all live in a romanticised version of life but it usually comes down to what drives the individual.
“Finances come into it, and other factors can influence the decision. I’m not going to try and convince anyone to stay.
“If you don’t understand how special it is to be a part of this place, nothing I’m going to say will change that.
“I know Cam and Jota love representing this l club. They’re contributing right now and that’s all I need to see.”
