Celtic waiting game on Koumas
Celtic are ready to play a waiting game in their pursuit of Jason Koumas to try to avoid being dragged into an auction for his services.
The Bhoys have made their interest in the Welsh international midfielder clear but know they face serious competition from the Premiership to prise him from The Hawthorns.
Reading are the latest club to be linked with the 27-year-old – joining Everton, Villa, Blackburn and Sunderland – having watched Koumas in action for his country against the Czech Republic at the weekend.
Sources north of the border suggest Celtic, who have also been linked with Baggies striker Diomansy Kamara, are now planning to monitor Koumas' situation before deciding their next move.
Parkhead boss Gordon Strachan is a keen admirer of Koumas' abilities and would like to team him up in midfield with new signing, and one-time Albion target, Scott Brown.
But with Koumas having admitted he's keen on testing himself in the Premiership, Celtic are eager not to get caught up in the spiralling financial battle with top flight clubs whose coffers have been boosted by the new television deal.
Sources suggest the Bhoys also have other irons in the fire, with Fenerbache and Ghana midfielder Stephen Appiah also believed to be on their list of targets.
Koumas will hold talks with Baggies chairman Jeremy Peace and boss Tony Mowbray over his future when he returns from holiday.
Albion have confirmed a fifth pre-season friendly to add to their pre-season programme. The Baggies will travel to Bristol Rovers on Tuesday, July 31 to take on Paul Trollope's League Two play-off winners.
They have already agreed friendlies away at Histon, Northampton, Hereford and Stafford Rangers.
