Celtic are likely still “monitoring” Schalke centre-back Malick Thiaw, according to journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The freelance reporter claims that the Scottish champions are not actively pursuing the German Under 21 international at the moment, after signing Moritz Jenz from Lorient on loan. However, if another centre-half were to depart the Hoops, a bid for Thiaw could be reconsidered:

“He was a target earlier this summer when Celtic were looking for central defensive reinforcements. They’ve obviously brought in Jenz from France on loan, so maybe that lead is now not required to bring in a new centre-back. But I’m sure Celtic will be monitoring the situation, and if players were to leave the club or something opened up, that might be a move they might try and resurrect for Malick Thiaw.”

Schalke’s sporting director Rouven Schroder confirmed at the start of July that the Bundesliga side would be open to selling Thiaw for the right price. At the time, it was believed that €10m (£8.4m) would be enough to secure the 21-year-old’s services.

The defender is highly rated, having been scouted by the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City, although most of the recent interest in the player has come from clubs in Italy. Serie A champions AC Milan, along with Torino and Bologna, have all been linked with Thiaw in the past few weeks.