Brendan Rodgers on Saturday night revealed that he is closing in on a big-money deal to secure the playmaker he believes can help take Celtic to the next level.

The Parkhead boss admits he is ready to splash out on a young player of 'substantial pedigree and quality' to aid the club's efforts to qualify for the Champions League.

Sportsmail understands the player in question is Chelsea's 20-year-old midfielder Charly Musonda.

Celtic are understood to be on the verge of a 'big-money' deal for Chelsea's Charly Musonda

Brendan Rodgers revealed he is closing on deal to he believes can take Celtic to the next level

Belgian Under-21 international Musonda spent almost a year on loan at Spanish club Real Betis before returning to Stamford Bridge in January where he remained on the fringes of Antonio Conte's Premier League-winning squad.

Sportsmail first revealed the possibility of a loan deal for Musonda in May but Rodgers admitted negotiations for his key target began before then.

'It's been a period of six months,' said the manager. 'Celtic have been great in trying to make it happen and if we can close the deal out, it will be a high level of quality.

'It's good money that will be spent on the player who is of a substantial pedigree and quality. He is young but he is a big talent and he has experience.'

Musonda spent almost a year on loan at Real Betis before returning to Chelsea in January

Asked directly if the player in question was Musonda, Rodgers would say only: 'He's a very good player.'

Thus far, the Northern Irishman has been selective in his summer transfer dealings, bringing in Jonny Hayes from Aberdeen for £1.3million and adding 19-year-old midfielder Kundai Benyu from Ipswich Town this weekend.

But it's the acquisition of a creative midfielder who can go straight into the starting line-up that will capture the imagination of Celtic supporters.

Rodgers admits he is now in a position to break the club's transfer record of £6million. He will also look to further strengthen his squad when the English market reveals which players are available later this month.

Having led Celtic to a domestic Treble last term and also banked the club millions in Champions League revenue, Rodgers is in a position to at least match the £6m figure paid to Chelsea for Chris Sutton and to Leicester City for Neil Lennon in 2000.

'(We can) on the right player,' admitted Rodgers. 'It depends on the availability. I'm not in the market to just spend because someone is a name. They have to fit in with what we are doing.

'The market down south is greater than it has ever been because there are so many players — not just British but international players, and they all can't play every week.

'But that doesn't stop us looking in other parts of the world. We have been extensive in our search but we are specific in terms of what we want.

'My main aim is quality, we don't need numbers. Last year, I walked into a squad that was maybe 30-odd players. There will still be movement out over the course of the summer. But I'm very pleased with where the team is at right now.'

Rodgers' spending power could be further boosted by the sale of his star striker Moussa Dembele.

An outstanding success since his £500,000 transfer from Fulham last summer, the Frenchman has been linked with a string of the Continent's most illustrious clubs but remains a key part of his manager's plans going into the qualifiers.

If an enormous bid is made, then Celtic will consider its merits — but Rodgers insists there is no rush to move on the striker and that there will be no player sales until the qualification process is complete.

'Moussa is very content and happy,' he continued. 'He looks very fit and hasn't had a long lay-off because he went away with the French Under-21s.

'He is someone of great character. He is very stable, nothing affects him but if there's anything that comes in….

'He is not a player we want to sell but we know how football works and we'll see what happens.

'But certainly not until after the Champions League qualifiers, there won't be anything done before then.

'That goes for all the players. I am very happy with the general make-up of the squad.'

Rodgers revealed that he has long sought a natural No10.

Musonda has been frustrated by a lack of opportunities at Chelsea and, despite interest from Italy and French champions Monaco, has noticed the success of Dembele's move to Celtic.

'We have players who can play there but it's about getting pace, power and another one who can make the last pass,' said Rodgers.

'That was something from last season that I wanted to add. We are hopeful we can get someone of that ability. It's how the make-up of my teams has always been.

'Look at Liverpool with (Daniel) Sturridge, (Luis) Suarez and (Philippe) Coutinho. Clever players who can attack, but also need to have the profile to press.'

Meanwhile, new recruit Benyu has revealed how he was watching the Scottish Cup final when he was informed of Rodgers' interest.

The teenager has joined from Ipswich and met up with his new team-mates in Austria on Friday.

He said: 'I was in my friend's house in London watching the Scottish Cup final when my agent called me and told me Celtic were interested. I couldn't believe it. From then on, it all went pretty quickly.

'After that I was more or less supporting Celtic — and I was buzzing when they scored that late (winning) goal.'

Benyu, who spent last season on loan at Aldershot, interested several top English clubs.

In the end, he insists it was Rodgers who swung the deal.

'I think Celtic are bigger than all the clubs who were interested in me,' he said.

'And the manager persuaded me. He has helped a lot of young players in the past like Raheem Sterling and Jordan Ibe, so I'm hoping to be a part of that list.'