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CELTIC are set to gamble on a Champions League spot by splashing out £3.2million on striker Stefan Scepovic.

The Hoops had an initial offer of £2m thrown out by Spanish club Sporting Gijon last week.

But with PSV Eindhoven also interested in the 24-year-old , Parkhead chiefs are now willing to meet Sporting’s demands in the belief Ronny Deila’s side will see off Maribor on Tuesday and reach the lucrative group stage.

Scepovic’s agent Juanma Lopez was in Scotland this weekend to thrash out a deal and, providing Celts can secure a work permit, they hope to conclude the transfer after further talks in Spain tomorrow.

The Serbian was left out of Sporting’s squad for their opening Segunda Liga fixture against Numancia last night as a move to Glasgow edged closer.

Sporting coach Abelardo Fernandez said: “Stefan is now not in my plans. His exit is imminent. He has been left out to avoid injury that could influence negotiations.”

Scepovic would become Deila’s first major signing since taking over. He has been on the lookout for a targetman and, at 6ft 1in, the Serb fits the bill.

Deila last night confirmed the move was edging closer and is also confident of finalising the loan swoop for Rubin Kazan winger Wakaso Mubarak.

He said: “Yes, we are getting closer. It is going into the last week (of the transfer window) so I think things will happen now.

“I said before that Scepovic is one of the ones we are interested in and Mubarak is ongoing. A lot of papers and things need to be arranged with Mubarak.”