The Hoops are going through a rebuilding process under new boss Ange Postecoglou and are looking to bolster their squad in the ongoing window as they gear up to challenge Rangers for the Scottish Premiership crown in the upcoming season.
Celtic have zeroed in on Oxford centre-back Atkinson as a top target in the ongoing window, but are facing stiff competition from Championship outfit Bristol City for his signature.
Atkinson was a fixture in Karl Robinson’s side in the season gone by, registering 44 appearances across all competitions, but it has been claimed that the U’s will allow him to leave if they receive an offer in the £1.6m range.
And the Robins have made the first concrete move for Atkinson having tabled a bid in excess of £1.4m.
Bristol City are waiting to hear back from Oxford about the 22-year-old, with his club currently mulling over whether to let him go for that price.
With Atkinson’s immediate future yet to be decided, Celtic could still launch a swoop for him and try to take him north of the border.
Meanwhile, the Hoops might have to deal with a departure of one of their key players this summer, as centre-back Kristoffer Ajer is heavily linked with an exit with the likes of Newcastle United, Bayer Leverkusen, Norwich City and RB Leipzig among his admirers.
