Celtic are closing on a deal for 22-year-old German midfielder Mika Baur after weeks of negotiations with Paderborn, with a medical expected as Parkhead races to register him for next Wednesday’s Champions League qualifier against LASK. Baur missed training in Germany while the clubs worked through final details, a clear sign that talks have reached an advanced stage. The Mika Baur Celtic Transfer now looks close. The report supplied for this piece comes from STV Sport, which first broke the news.
Mika Baur Celtic Transfer is close to reality
The reported package has been described as worth up to €8 million (£6.8m), although the final structure and add-ons still require official confirmation. Celtic have brought in Kasper Høgh from Bodø/Glimt for a club-record £11m plus add-ons and Camilo Durán from Qarabağ, while Haissem Hassan has agreed terms and completed his medical ahead of his move from Real Oviedo.
Mika Baur Celtic Transfer: What the numbers say
There is plenty to like in Baur’s recent record. He produced four goals and six assists in 36 appearances across Paderborn’s promotion campaign, while Kicker’s Opta-based figures credit him with 85 per cent passing accuracy, 39 shot assists and 36 crosses. Yahoo’s season data lists 32 starts, 2,535 minutes and 66 corners, showing how heavily Paderborn relied on him.
He can operate centrally or higher up, and his ability to use both feet should help Celtic vary their build-up. He has represented Germany through the youth ranks, earned his first Under-21 cap in 2026 and won Paderborn’s Player of the Year award. A proposed contract until 2031 would give Celtic long-term control.
Mika Baur Celtic Transfer: The honest verdict
One claim in the supplied opinion reference needs correcting: the figure of 199 refers to clearances in one data set, not 199 interceptions. That matters, because presenting a huge interception total for an attacking midfielder would distort his profile. His defensive contribution still deserves credit, but his strongest case rests on technical quality, pressing awareness, versatility and chance creation.
Read: Celtic close to completing £9m transfer of sensational winger
Celtic need that creativity if Arne Engels leaves for around £25m, yet Baur should not be sold as a like-for-like replacement. He is closer stylistically to a number eight or advanced midfielder, with the ability to drop deeper. His 172cm frame may create questions in Scotland’s physical contests. Still, the Mika Baur Celtic Transfer looks defensible at £6.8m, provided Celtic negotiate sensible add-ons and contract terms financially.
