Scottish giants Celtic have moved to the head of the queue to sign Norwich City striker Adam Idah.

Idah’s representatives were in talks with Serie A club Verona over a loan with a view to a buy option - although the Canaries had rejected the opening €3.5m buy offer figure.

While a number of Championship clubs had also expressed interest in the 22-year-old striker, but the Scottish Premiership champions and former European Cup winners are now in pole position.

The Republic of Ireland international’s dream loan move to Glasgow will only go through when City have sealed a deal for a replacement forward.

The Canaries’ pursuit of Bologna striker Sydney Van Hooijdonk became public earlier on Tuesday, but the Dutchman is just one name on a shortlist of domestic and overseas targets drawn up by sporting director Ben Knapper.

Celtic were also linked with van Hooijdonk, who has a family connection with his father Pierre a former Hoops' star, but the Daily Record claim there was no interest in the 23-year-old frontman, with Bhoys’ boss Brendan Rodgers sanctioning a surprise move for Idah.

The Cork-bred attacker wants regular game time, after only 31 league starts in 99 appearances for the club since making his full Premier League debut at Manchester United in January 2020.

Verona and Genoa had shown interest earlier in the January window but the 'Yellow and Blues' made their move ahead of Sunday's FA Cup tie at Liverpool.

But talks hit a snag with City believed to be keen on inserting a buy option in the region of €8m to €10m, before Celtic showed their hand later on Tuesday.

The focus at present is on City's striker shuffle, with fresh reports from Spain Sporting Gijon have pulled the plug on any move for Jonathan Varane in this window.

That remains on the back burner for the Canaries - with the player keen on a switch to England - and Knapper has until 11pm on Thursday to complete City's transfer business. 

Speculation linking Dimi Giannoulis with Ajax is wide of the mark, with the Greek international set to remain at Carrow Road in the coming days.