We can but hope
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Celtic are trying to push through last-minute deals for Steven Fletcher and Jozo Simunovic before Tuesday's transfer deadline.
The Parkhead club want to secure Scotland striker Fletcher on a year's loan from Sunderland, while they have put a £3.2million offer on the table for Dinamo Zagreb defender Simunovic.
As Sportsmail first revealed on August 14, the Croatian Under-20 international is first choice to replace Southampton-bound Virgil van Dijk.
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Celtic are hopeful of tying up a deal to sign Jozo Simunovic (left) before the end of the transfer window
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Celtic view Simunovic as the perfect replacement for outgoing centre-back star Virgil van Dijk (right)
Dinamo Zagreb chief Zdravko Mamic turned down an opening bid for the stopper after meeting Parkhead chief executive Peter Lawwell, insisting the player would stay put.
The Croatian champions subsequently secured qualification for a Champions League group featuring Bayern Munich, Arsenal and Olympiakos.
Despite dropping into the Europa League and securing Manchester United's Tyler Blackett on a season-long loan deal, however, Celtic remain keen on a player they believe represents value for money and have tendered a fresh proposal, pending personal terms and a medical.
The arrival of Simunovic would clear the way for the sale of Van Dijk to Premier League Southampton following months of speculation.
Making the reverse journey over the border could be Fletcher. The 28-year-old has repeatedly been linked with a move back north ever since a move from Hibernian fell through in 2009.
But with the striker now out of favour under Dick Advocaat at the Stadium of Light, the Scottish champions believe they can finally secure his services - initially for the current season and possibly longer.
Despite talk of a switch to Celtic never being far away, the player's circumstances and his wages were always stumbling blocks.
However, having started just one game under Advocaat this term, the player is now open to moving to Celtic Park with the Black Cats keen to off-load a percentage of his £40,000 per week weekly wage.