Celtic to swoop on Mallorca fire sale

CELTIC are believed to be considering a £3.4 million double swoop on Real Mallorca to sign Spanish defender Ivan Ramis and Guinea striker Alhassane Keita, as Neil Lennon continues to identify value-for-money targets to rebuild the Glasgow giants.

Previous manager Tony Mowbray wanted to bring 25-year-old Ramis to Parkhead in January but the clubs were unable to agree a deal. However, two weeks ago Mallorca applied to the courts to go into voluntary administration in order to wipe out debts of over 72m.

The club managed to finish fifth in La Liga last season, missing out on claiming a Champions League slot on the final day of the season by a single point in spite of frequently being late when it came to paying their players' wages.

Mallorca's managing director and majority shareholder has admitted he has no option but to conduct a fire sale of his side's top players. "The insolvency will affect the first-team squad and those who earn the most," he said. Club coach Gregorio Manzano is expected to walk out on them when his contract expires in three weeks' time.

Reports in Spain insist that Celtic have offered to sign both Ramis and Keita, who turns 27 later this month, on five-year contracts.

Keita, pictured, one of the smallest players in the Spanish top flight at just 5ft 6in, began his career in Morocco with Olympique Khouribga before spending five seasons in Switzerland with FC Zurich. He then spent two years in Saudi Arabia with Al-lttihad before joining Mallorca in 2008. A quick and tricky forward who makes more goals than he scores, Keita has been capped five times by Guinea, where he played alongside former Celtic favourite Bobo Balde.

Ramis' agent, Javier Diaz, made it clear in January that his client would jump at the chance to move to Parkhead.

"Celtic are a massive club and Ivan would be very keen to play there," he said.