Celtic have a massive fight on their hands if they want to snap up NK Maribor forward Zan Vipotnik this summer, according to Sky Germany journalist Florian Plettenberg.

The Slovenian international, who scored 23 goals last season, is being pursued by ten other teams, in addition to the Hoops.

Three clubs from Germany (Augsburg, Hamburg and Hertha Berlin), two from Italy (Empoli and Lecce), two from the Netherlands (Feyenoord and Twente) as well as sides in Spain (Real Betis), Belgium (Club Brugge) and France (Bordeaux) are all expected to make offers for Vipotnik.

This confirms what the 21-year-old’s agent, Sasa Zupan, said at the end of last month, claiming that there are a whole host of options for the striker to choose from, in addition to Celtic:

“Yes, there is interest from Celtic for a summer transfer but there a lot of clubs who want to sign Zan when the window opens.”

Few will be a direct threat to Celtic

Out of those mentioned by Plettenberg, you would say only two or perhaps three could compete with Celtic in terms of being equally attractive destinations.

Feyenoord are Dutch champions, so they will be in the Champions League group stage, which suggests they will be the toughest opponents in the battle for Vipotnik’s signature.

Real Betis finished sixth in La Liga last campaign, and will be in the Europa League, while Augsburg are also in the top flight in Germany.

A lot will depend on Brendan Rodgers

With the Irishman seemingly set to make a sensational return to Parkhead, it looks as though he will have the final say on whether the club go after Vipotnik.

The Scottish champions already have the likes of Kyogo Furuhashi and Oh Hyeon-gyu in the squad to lead the line so we shall see whether Rodgers wants to add more firepower up front.