CELTIC reportedly face competition from as many as FOURTEEN other clubs for the signature of transfer target Levi Garcia.
SunSport exclusively revealed last week that the Hoops were interested in the services of the 25-year-old AEK Athens forward, with scouts sent to watch Garcia in action during his side’s 3-1 win over Olympiacos.
But it sounds like manager Ange Postecoglou will have his work cut out for him if he is to secure the signature of the 25-year-old Trinidad and Tobago international.
According to Greek football outlet Sportime, Celtic were not alone when scouting the attacker for a second time.
They counted the Scottish Premiership champions as one of 15 European outfits who sent representatives to watch the impressive Garcia during his team’s derby draw with Panathinaikos.
Other clubs rumoured to be interested in the 18-goal frontman include Lazio, Stuttgart, Lille, Bordeaux and Slavia Prague.
He may have not found the net against his city rivals, but he scored in the three games prior and also has six assists to his name this term.
Standing at 6ft tall, the powerful left-sided hitman, who can play as a striker or off the right-hand, has lead AEK Athens to joint-top of the Greek Super League.
Garcia cost the capital outfit £1.9m when he moved from Beitar Jerusalem back in 2020, and has two years left on his current contract.
He is also a regular starter for his country, scoring eight goals in 36 appearances for the Trinidad and Tobago national team.
It would not be the first time Postecoglou has recruited from the Greek market, with the boss making former Hoops striker Georgios Giakoumakis one of his first signings.
Garcia could be a replacement for current Celtic winger Liel Abada, with uncertainty looming over the Israeli’s future at the club.
Abada cost the Hoops £3.6m when he signed from Maccabi Petah Tikva last summer.
But he has been linked with a move away from Glasgow with interest from Southampton, Ajax, Benfica and Crystal Palace.
The 21-year-old has mostly been used as a substitute by his boss this season despite being a regular in the side last season, making 41 appearances in all competitions.