AEK Athens expect Celtic to return with an improved offer for goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas, after an opening bid of around £3.5m was rejected this week.

Celtic manager Neil Lennon has been on the hunt for a new number one all summer, and turned his attention to the Greek stopper when Fraser Forster turned down the chance to return to the club on loan, preferring a permanent deal.

According to Greek news outlet Sportime, the Scottish champions will have to increase their offer to around £5m and include a sell-on clause if they are to bring the 26-year-old Barkas to Glasgow. The player himself though is believed to be keen to make the move to Celtic, feeling he has achieved all he can in Athens.

Reports elsewhere yesterday suggested that Roma goalkeeper Robin Olsen had emerged as an alternative target for Celtic as they scour the continent for a new first-choice between the sticks, but editor of Sportime, Gian Chorianopoulos, thinks that Barkas would be a much safer pair of hands.

“I remember Olsen when he played in Greece for PAOK Salonika,” Chorianopoulos told HeraldSport. “If I had to choose between him and Barkas, I would choose Barkas. Not just because he is Greek, but he is a better player and a better project if they want to sell him on in a few seasons.

“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.”