Marco Tilio is poised to make the switch to Celtic after his club boss all but admitted defeat in keeping his star man.
The 21-year-old is set to become the second summer arrival under Brendan Rodgers' watch after the Scottish champions dealt in Odin Thiago Holm from Valerenga last week.
A move to Parkhead will help boost the attacking ranks with star man Kyogo Furuhashi and Oh Hyeon-gyu on the books. The new Hoops gaffer had been keen to add to his options in that area of the park as they bid for further domestic dominance and make a splash in the Champions League group stage this season.
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Tilio is a wanted man and has scored ten goals in 31 appearances for his club. He's used to winning silverware with three A-League titles to his name already. Once with Sydney FC and twice at current club Melbourne City.
His boss Rado Vidosic has all but confirmed his imminent transfer by telling Fox News: “I doubt we will be able to keep him. He had a fantastic season for us.”
It comes as Rodgers discussed his plans for recruitment, he said: "Over the course of our discussions I’ve seen the market we’re in and how well the recruitment has gone. Mark Lawwell has this pipeline of players that are available and I think what he’s done since he’s come in has been really impressive - and the markets he’s been able to tap into.
“That will continue. That’s where the club is at. Listen, when you’ve got top players at the club they are always going to attract attention elsewhere.
“Those boys have come in and done exceptionally well. Good players will always attract attention. But I don’t worry about that. As manager, you have knowledge of certain markets or knowledge that you might be able to get a player that’s just become available.
“I know how I want the team to play. Celtic as a club is about offensive, aggressive, attacking football. What I am coming into is a team that’s playing that way. We’ll just look at adapting that and making changes.
“In terms of recruitment I am the one that knows how I want the team to play and I have to be involved in those discussions. And I will be. Some of those markets haven’t been as readily available to some clubs, that’s something Mark has brought with him in his roles.
“I’m thinking of the Japanese market, the Korean market, Australia and out into Asia. These were players that were untapped and you’re now seeing other clubs trying to tap into that.”
