Everton and Saints get Van Dijk boost as Celtic eye Man Utd Champions League opponent

Celtic want to sign Brandon Mechele from Club Brugge

CELTIC are preparing a £3million bid for Club Brugge defender Brandon Mechele should Virgil van Dijk quit Parkhead.

Hoops manager Ronny Deila wants to retain Van Dijk for the season but is reportedly realistic about those chances.

Southampton have already made a £7m offer for the Dutchman, while Everton are also said to be keen on his signature.

And Celtic appear to have wasted little time finding a replacement after stepping up their pursuit of Mechele, claim the Daily Record.
Mechele, 22, made his Brugge debut in 2013 and boasts a handful of Belgium U21 caps.
Celtic reportedly sought to sign the centre-half back in April but were rebuffed by Brugge.

But they may have to wait until after the Belgian club's Champions League playoff clash with Manchester United before landing the ace.
United host the first qualifying tie on 18 August before the reverse fixture in Belgium eight days later.