NO sooner had he emerged as a potential target for Celtic has one striker decided his future lies elsewhere.
Hoops boss Martin O’Neill has been vocal in his desire to bring in more firepower – to the point where he insisted the Parkhead club are preparing for an “explosive” new signing before the end of the transfer window.
Celtic completed a loan deal for Tomas Cvancara last week but have remain linked with other forwards in recent days.
Kasper Hogh of Bodo/Glimt was one of them but Norwich City may have hijacked that one.
However, Nice star Terem Moffi was another on their radar.
But the Hoops weren’t the only team interested in the unsettled £26m man.
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They had looked at a loan move for the 26-year-old Nigerian international but faced stuff competition from Porto and Besiktas.
And according to reports in Portugal, he has REJECTED the advances of Celtic and Besiktas in order to sign for the Portuguese giants.
Mercado Azul claim that Nice and Porto have reached an agreement that will see the 6ft2in frontman move to the Estadio do Dragao.
They say Moffi is ‘excited about the idea’ of moving to Porto and is due to arrive in Porto tomorrow to finalise his switch from Ligue 1.
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Meanwhile, Hogh was on the scoresheet for Bodo/Glimt just hours after news of Norwich’s £7m bid emerged.
The 25-year-old hit the winner for the Norwegian side in their Champions League clash against Atletico Madrid.
On the subject of spending money on a new signing (as opposed to a loan deal), O’Neill said: “Who is to say we might not spend money?
“There IS a willingness.
“I think we’ll get some in.
“I love players who can go past people.
“So we’re looking for something a bit EXPLOSIVE, and we can do that.
“I’m hoping that if we’re spending money on this particular player, and if it comes through, that the next manager stepping in, honestly, will say ‘Oh that’s good’, rather than thinking, ‘I’m not sure about this player.”
The Hoops have also turned down a loan bid from a Danish club for midfielder Paulo Bernardo and they are fending off interest in Reo Hatate.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
