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Zenit St Petersburg have made a £12 million bid for Brazilian international defender Rodrigo Caio ahead of their Europa League showdown with Celtic .

The Russians are desperate to add to their squad for their new season and they need defensive reinforcements.

(Image: Getty Images South America)

And they are closing in on Sao Paulo stopper Caio, who would be eligible to play against the Hoops in the Last 32 tie next month.

Zenit tried to sign the 24-year-old a year ago, but he was reluctant to move to Russia.

But Roberto Mancini's side are confident Caio will change his mind now and are poised to make a renewed offer.

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

Caio agreed a £12.5 million move to Spanish giants Valencia two years, but the move collapsed after he failed his medical following knee surgery.

Ex-Manchester City boss Mancini has money to spend this month and Caio, who helped Brazil win the 2016 Olympic football tournament, could be lining up in the first leg in Glasgow if Zenit can seal the deal.