Scottish clubs are in a rather unenviable position.
They have begun the 2020/21 season well ahead of schedule because of the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic and play is underway.
But they also have the transfer window open, meaning that they could lose a key player between matches.
For Celtic, that could well be a major concern, given that key star Odsonne Edouard has continually been linked away from the club.
They have stuttered at the start of the season, too, beating Hamilton 5-1 on the opening weekend but then being held to a 1-1 draw by Kilmarnock.
It means they are already two points behind the three teams leading the pack, Hibernian, Rangers, and Ross County.
And it appears they are now trying to strengthen their squad.
Football Insider reports that they have targeted Peterborough United striker Ivan Toney but are facing some difficulty in luring him north of the border.
There are a number of clubs interested in the striker, including Brentford, West Bromwich Albion, and Bournemouth, after he scored 24 goals in 32 outings in 2019/20.
Celtic made an offer worth £2.5 million rising to £3m but the League One club have rejected the bid.
They value Toney at closer to £10m following his superb season and that appears to have priced the Scottish giants out of a move.
Brentford, the report states, are now set to make another offer after a £5m deal failed last month.
GIVEMESPORT’S Harry Sherlock says…
What did Celtic expect?
Brentford could not get a deal done at £5m, so offering £3m is nothing short of disrespectful.
Bringing in a striker to either replace or support Edouard should absolutely be a priority and one can understand why Toney has been targeted.
He is a pacey striker with a superb eye for goal and would have been a significant acquisition for Neil Lennon’s men.
But to make such a low-ball offer was never going to result in a happy ending.
It seems other targets have been identified – Football Insider report Albian Ajeti, the West Ham striker, is instead set to arrive – but the club should hang their heads in shame after this transfer debacle.
They have missed out, and it is completely their own fault.