Schalke sporting director Rouven Schroder has confirmed that Celtic target Malick Thiaw will be sold for the right price.

Reports in the Italian media have suggested that the German Under 21 international is being targeted by the Scottish champions and, asked about the defender’s future this weekend, Schroder said the Bundesliga club would consider any bids:

“We have always said that we will deal with offers that come in. If the overall theme fits, we’ll also think about it. Malick is here and I think he suits us very well in the Bundesliga. Nevertheless, he is of course in demand because of the Under-21s and his performances.”

Thiaw’s asking price is believed to be €10m (£8.6m), which is quite a steep figure for the Hoops but the financial security of qualifying for the Champions League does mean that a deal is not unrealistic.

Manager Ange Postecoglou is likely to be in the market for a centre-back, especially if Christopher Jullien does leave Celtic Park in the coming weeks.

There will be fierce competition for Thiaw’s signature, though. The likes of Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool have scouted the 20-year-old in the past, while AC Milan, Bologna and Torino have been linked with him more recently.