CELTIC are edging closer to a £3million festive swoop for Darlington Nagbe.

SunSport revealed last month Brendan Rodgers had targeted the Portland Timbers star.

3 Celts want American star Nagbe to leave MLS and join in January window Credit: Getty Images

And it’s understood significant progress has been made in the Hoops’ bid to land the USA ace.

Timbers are likely to demand at least £3m for midfielder Nagbe, but Celts will splash out.

Nagbe, 26, was given the VIP treatment by Hoops chiefs at the home Champions League game against Barcelona recently.

He returned to the States and is in the middle of the MLS off-season.

But Parkhead chiefs are set to step up their interest, with the window due to open in just ten days’ time.

Rodgers is keen to strengthen his midfield for the second half of the season.

The Hoops boss also has his eye on the Champions League qualifiers if, as expected, runaway leaders Celtic wrap up the title.

Rodgers does have other midfield options for January, but highly-rated Nagbe remains a priority target. Capped ten times by the USA, the Timbers star has earned rave reviews in the MLS.

New national boss Bruce Arena is also set to hand him an international recall, after he fell out of favour under previous coach Jurgen Klinsmann.

3 Nagbe watched Celtic's Champions League clash with Barcelona Credit: PA:Press Association

Nagbe is capable of operating in several positions, and has the pace and drive Rodgers wants in midfield.

SunSport also understands that Celtic will hold further talks with defender Mikael Lustig over a new contract in January.

The Swede has just six months left on his current deal, but Rodgers wants to tie him down on an extension.

The two parties will resume discussions in the new year in a bid to thrash out a deal.

At 30, Lustig is keen to sort out his long-term future, and the Sweden full back would have no shortage of offers abroad.

But his first choice is to remain at Celtic, and Parkhead chiefs are extremely hopeful a deal can be agreed.

3 Nagbe is a January target for Rodgers Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Speaking last week, Rodgers said: “He wants to be here and Mikael knows I want him here. It’s a relaxed situation, there’s no drama.

“Mikael’s one I definitely want to keep and the club is in discussions with his representatives now.

“He’s an important player for us, one of the pillars of the group.

“He’s a great character, motivated to train and a great professional. Mikael’s a fun guy, but he knows when to focus.

“Mikael’s a Scott Brown type in the dressing room. He’s been excellent since I came in and I think he wants to stay here.”

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