Celtic midfielder Ismaila Soro ‘very close’ to transfer exit

Celtic midfielder Ismaila Soro could be set to depart Parkhead this summer with a top European side looking to do a deal with the cinch Premiership champions.

The 25-year-old signed a four-and-a-half-year contract in Glasgow in January 2020 after joining from Bnei Yehuda in Israel but spent last season out on loan at Portuguese outfit Arouca.

Soro made 30 appearances during his loan spell last term and hasn’t played for Celtic since making a late appearance off the bench in the 3-0 win over Rangers in February 2022.

The defensive midfielder has made 43 appearances in total during his time in Glasgow’s east end but the Ivorian has slipped down the pecking order and looks set to leave this summer.

Soro’s contract still has another year left to run and the summer transfer window represents Celtic’s last opportunity to recoup some of the £2million fee the club paid for the midfielder when Neil Lennon was in charge.

Greek giants Panathinaikos have been monitoring Soro for some time now and are closing in on a deal for a permanent transfer, according to reports in Portugal.

The 20-times Greek champions, who will enter the Champions League at the second qualifying round this season, are understood to be the front runners to complete a move for Soro, with a deal “very close” according to Renascenca.