Celtic pushing to sign Mika Baur from SC Paderborn in deal reportedly worth €8M

Celtic FC is working to finalize a transfer for SC Paderborn midfielder Mika Baur, with reports suggesting the deal could reach €8 million. The 22-year-old German has emerged as a key target for the Scottish champions as they look to bolster their midfield options during this summer’s transfer window.

Personal terms between Baur and Celtic are reportedly already agreed, which means the holdup is where it usually is: the two clubs haggling over the price tag.

The gap between bid and ask

Celtic’s pursuit of Baur has hit a familiar snag. The club’s initial offer reportedly came in around £4 million, roughly €4.7 million. Paderborn, fresh off earning promotion to the Bundesliga for the 2026-27 season, is holding firm on a higher valuation.

Paderborn paid just €500,000 for Baur when they signed him from SC Freiburg in June 2024, so even at the lower end of reported figures, they’d be pocketing a substantial return. Baur’s current market value sits at an estimated €5 million, which puts Celtic’s reported opening bid slightly below that benchmark and Paderborn’s asking price above it. The €8 million figure circulating on social media would represent a significant premium, though it’s possible that number accounts for add-ons and performance bonuses that could bridge the gap between what Celtic wants to pay upfront and what Paderborn wants to receive in total.

As of mid-August 2026, no official confirmation of a completed deal has been announced by either club.

Who is Mika Baur?

Born on July 9, 2004, in Salem, Germany, Baur is a midfielder with German-Malagasy heritage who came through the youth system at SC Freiburg. He joined Paderborn in June 2024 for €500,000 as a deliberate step toward regular first-team football.

Baur also gained experience during a loan spell at Dynamo Dresden in 2025. At the international level, Baur has represented Germany at the U21 level. Baur has one year remaining on his contract with Paderborn.

What Celtic is building

Celtic’s interest in Baur fits a broader pattern of targeting players who are technically proficient, tactically flexible, and available at price points that fit their budget during this summer transfer window.

Paderborn’s position is strengthened by the fact that they don’t need to sell. Promotion to the Bundesliga brings increased revenue, and keeping a talented midfielder for a top-flight campaign has obvious sporting value. But the reality of a player with one year left on his deal, who has agreed terms elsewhere, creates its own gravitational pull toward a sale.

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