Celtic close to double swoop

Celtic are closing in on the double capture of Japanese star Shunsuke Nakamura and Brighton youngster Adam Virgo.

Brighton have confirmed the 22-year-old defender is set to sign in a deal worth £1.5m (€2.2m) before Thursday’s European transfer deadline.

But Reggina have also revealed this morning they will be meeting with Celtic officials tomorrow and are optimistic of agreeing a fee for their midfield star.

“Tomorrow it is possible that we will come to an agreement for the player,” spokeswoman Daniele Rindone said.

“There will be a meeting between Reggina and Celtic and it’s more likely to be in Glasgow than Milan.”

The double swoop would take manager Gordon Strachan’s summer arrivals to six following the signings of Mo Camara, Maciej Zurawski, Jeremie Aliadiere and Artur Boruc ahead of their Champions League qualifiers.

The Hoops had two earlier bids rejected for Virgo, who has played for Scotland Future, but a fee was agreed over the weekend and the defender could be unveiled tomorrow.

Virgo will complete the deal if he passes a medical and personal terms are agreed.

“People might think that joining Celtic was an easy decision, but you have to think about your family and the people you are leaving,” Virgo said. “But sometimes you just can’t say no to an opportunity such as this.

“I’ve supported Brighton all my life and have had such good times. The fans have been great – I’ve always given 110% for the team, but so have they – and so I’d like to wish the club every success for the future.”

Brighton boss Mark McGhee, who was a former team-mate of Celtic manager Gordon Strachan while the pair were at Aberdeen, was disappointed at losing Virgo but understood the financial importance of the deal.

He told official website www.seagulls.co.uk: “Since I came to the football club Adam Virgo has been an enormous part of the success we have enjoyed and it’s with great sadness that that we say farewell but I totally support board’s decision as I understand the financial restraints at this club.

“The reality of our situation – with the delays on Falmer (the planned new stadium) – makes it difficult to keep our best players, both financially and in terms of matching their ambition.

“It’s no surprise to me that a club of Celtic’s stature have made such a bid for Adam. I would like to thank him for all the effort he’s given me and wish him every success for the future.”

Virgo played a vital role as Brighton finished a point above the relegation zone in last season’s Coca-Cola Championship, deployed as a makeshift striker when McGhee was short of attacking options.

The transfer is an all-cash deal, with no appearance or other performance-related conditions, and Seagulls chairman Dick Knight confirmed McGhee will get to strengthen his squad with some of the proceeds.

Knight told www.seagulls.co.uk: “This is a bittersweet moment for Mark McGhee, the board and myself.

“While the money will enable the club to survive the coming months as we await the stadium decision continue to face the limitations of Withdean, we are all very conscious that we are losing an exceptional player, in fact, two players because of his versatility.

“But the club’s survival comes first, and at this price reluctantly we have to let Adam go to the wonderful opportunity offered him by Celtic.

“Adam leaves with our sincere best wishes for his future career, and the heartfelt thanks of all Albion fans for his tremendous efforts for the club, especially last season, when in difficult personal circumstances, his performances deservedly won him our player-of-the-year award.

“Some of the Virgo transfer money will immediately be made available to Mark for squad strengthening as a result of Adam leaving.”