thescotman.com

CELTIC have been linked with NEC Nijmegen winger Alireza Jahanbakhsh, according to reports.

The Iranian 21-year-old has won plaudits for his performances at the Dutch second-tier outfit since moving from his homeland in July 2013.

A former team-mate of ex-Motherwell striker Michael Higdon, Jahanbakhsh has scored 17 goals in 54 matches for Nijmegen, and is entering the final 12 months of his deal at the Goffertstadion.

His performances saw him named runner-up to Dutch international Memphis Depay as the Eredivisie’s Greatest Talent of the Season for the 2013/14 campaign.

The Hoops have had Jahanbakhsh watched and are monitoring the situation, although they face competition from the likes of Norwich, Anderlecht and Standard Liege in Belgium plus Dutch clubs Groningen and Heerenveen.

Originally with Damash Tehran and Damash Gilan in Iran, Jahanbakhsh joined Nijmegen in the summer of 2013 after agreeing a deal in May.

He has made 15 appearances for his country, scoring once, and can operate on the left or right wing.

Ronny Deila brought in Mubarak Wakaso and Aleksandar Tonev on loan to strengthen Celtic’s wide options but the pair have failed to set the Scottish Premiership alight and look set to return to their parent clubs Rubin Kazan and Aston Villa during the close season.

According to De Gelderlander newspaper, Nijmegen have accepted that Jahanbakhsh will leave and have slapped a €2 million (around £1.5 million) price tag on the winger.