Celtic have been looking to sign Sporting Lisbon ace Carlos Mane for quite a while now, but it looks like the Scottish club will to face competition from other clubs for his signature.

The 21-year-old is highly rated across European football. Rather than move straight to a big league, Mane is thought to be considering the possibility of joining a club where he will get regular first-team opportunities. Celtic, Middlesbrough, and Monaco are some of the clubs interested in his services.Mane has not ruled out the possibility of joining Celtic, who have the opportunity to provide him with Champions League football.

Rumours about an impending move started growing after the highly rated youngster was left out of the match against Braga. Clubs usually leave out players who appear to be on the brink of a transfer. This eliminates the risk of a potential deal failing due to a surprise injury. Sporting Lisbon, however, have confirmed that they have not received any official offers for their highly rated asset. Other players on the eyes of the Scottish club include the likes of Croatian starlet LjubanCrepulja. The 22-year-old will be available on a free transfer at the end of the season and Celtic are thought to be negotiating with him over a contract.

“I know some clubs have asked about me. Celtic? Sincerely, I wouldn’t say no. But at the moment I can only think about playing for Sporting Lisbon and showing my level,” said Mane, whose season has been hit by recurring injury problems. “We haven’t received any firm offers from clubs for Mane but it’s true that, indirectly, there is interest. At the moment we have no interest in selling him – he’s an interesting player for us and he has a contract at Sporting,” said the Portuguese club in response to the transfer rumours.