Celtic close to signing Scepovic

Celtic are on the verge of signing Serbia international striker Stefan Scepovic from Sporting Gijon, according to his manager.

The 24-year-old played no part in Sporting’s 2-1 Segunda Division win at Numancia at the weekend as negotiations with Celtic gathered pace.

And Sporting’s manager, Abelardo Fernandez, admitted that he is planning for a future without the talented hitman.

“Stefan is no longer part of my plans,” Fernandez said.

“His transfer is a done deal and because we don’t want to endanger his move, he is not training with the players anymore.”

The fee is reportedly set to be around the £3m mark, and Scepovic could be in the Hoops squad for Sunday’s Scottish Premiership clash at Dundee.

lThe agent of Arsenal striker Lukas Podolski, pictured, insists neither Juventus nor Napoli have yet made a bid for his client.

Ali Pektas said: “I read in the newspapers of the interest of Juventus and Napoli for Lukas, but at the moment there has been no contact with the two clubs. I don’t know if he will move to Italy in this market window, but you cannot say anything for sure. The only sure thing is that the player still has a contract with Arsenal.”