Celtic FC is working to finalize a transfer for SC Paderborn midfielder Mika Baur, with reports suggesting the deal could reach €8 million. The 22-year-old German has emerged as a key target for the Scottish champions as they look to bolster their midfield options during this summer’s transfer window.
Personal terms between Baur and Celtic are reportedly already agreed, which means the holdup is where it usually is: the two clubs haggling over the price tag.
The gap between bid and ask
Celtic’s pursuit of Baur has hit a familiar snag. The club’s initial offer reportedly came in around £4 million, roughly €4.7 million. Paderborn, fresh off earning promotion to the Bundesliga for the 2026-27 season, is holding firm on a higher valuation.
Paderborn paid just €500,000 for Baur when they signed him from SC Freiburg in June 2024, so even at the lower end of reported figures, they’d be pocketing a substantial return. Baur’s current market value sits at an estimated €5 million, which puts Celtic’s reported opening bid slightly below that benchmark and Paderborn’s asking price above it. The €8 million figure circulating on social media would represent a significant premium, though it’s possible that number accounts for add-ons and performance bonuses that could bridge the gap between what Celtic wants to pay upfront and what Paderborn wants to receive in total.
