Celtic have made an opening offer to prise defender Omar Colley away from Sampdoria - according to a report.
Italian newspaper Secolo XIX report the Hoops have proposed a deal that will see a £1.8m loan fee paid for an initial season.
The club would then have an obligation to complete the transfer with a further payment of £5.8m needed from the Neil Lennon 's side to complete the deal.
Negotiations are likely to continue as the Serie A club want up to £9.8m for the tough-tackling Gambia international.
And similarly to their pursuit of Brighton defender Shane Duffy, West Ham United are also interested in taking the big defender to London.
Celtic transfer news
27-year-old Colley arrived from Belgian side Genk for £7.1m in 2018 and any side who wishes to secure his signature will have to ensure the Italians make a profit on the transfer.
He played 31 times in the Italian top flight last term and was booked ten times as Samp narrowly flirted with relegation in a disappointing campain.