Celtic are on the verge of completing a £4.5million deal for Greek goalkeeper Vasilios Barkas.

The Hoops had submitted an initial £3.2million bid for the stopper which was rejected by his club AEK Athens as they wanted closer to £5million. But now it is understood that the Glasgow giants have lodged an offer of around £4.5million with add-ons that could take the fee to where Barkas' side are hoping for.

It is also believed there is a 10 percent sell-on clause which has been added to any deal.

And Herald and Times Sport now understands the deal - which would be a four-year contract - is close to completion.

We told previously how Barkas was on a shortlist of potential players Neil Lennon could bring to the club this summer. Vaclav Hladky, Joe Hart and David Marshall have all been other options, but Barkas has been the outstanding candidate.

Recently Gian Chorianopoulos, Editor in Chief of Greek news outlet Sportime, told Herald and Times Sport: "At Celtic, the demands are more than AEK, but I think that Vasilis knows in his mind he will be under pressure in every game. Celtic have to win the league, they have to win every game, but I think mentally he’s really close to what Celtic needs.

“He is in the best form of his career. Ok, this was not a good season for the club, because they went out of the Europa League early and they changed two managers. It was a difficult season with ups and downs, but Barkas made some good appearances.

“He had 16 clean sheets in 33 matches, so even though this season was not good for the team, he played well.

“He is playing in the national team and he has improved his game a lot, especially with the ball at his feet. He used to have some problems with that, but he is getting better and better every year with that and in all areas.

“I think he would be a good choice for Celtic.”