(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media, Getty Images)

Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Fri 15 August 2025 16:27, UK

Nottingham Forest are closing in on a deal to sign Celtic teenage sensation Dara Jikiemi, sources have told Football Insider.

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Forest are now advancing in talks to lure the talented teenager, who remains very highly-rated at Celtic, to the Premier League.

At just 15 years old, Jikiemi has impressed for both club and country at youth level and has captained Scotland’s Under-15 side.

This comes after Football Insider exclusively revealed in April that Nottingham Forest are interested in signing Jikiemi and planned to bring him to England.

As a result of his continuing development through the youth ranks at Parkhead, efforts have now been made by Forest to poach him from the academy.

Nottingham Forest are closing in on signing Jikiemi.

(Credit: Imago)

Celtic have seen a steady pipeline of academy players depart in favour of moves to England in recent years, including the likes of Ben Doak and Rocco Vata.

Doak, 19, joined Liverpool’s academy in 2022 and has gone on to make ten appearances, while he enjoyed a successful loan spell at Middlesbrough last season.

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Now, the winger is reportedly closing in on a £20million move to Bournemouth [Fabrizio Romano] after Football Insider revealed Liverpool planned to sell Doak.

Ben Doak has been a success since leaving Celtic for Liverpool.

(Credit: Imago)

Vata, meanwhile, opted to take the challenge of a move to Watford after feeling there was no clear pathway into the first-team under Brendan Rodgers.

Jikiemi is now set to become the latest to follow the route out of Celtic’s academy with the hope of one day establishing himself in the Premier League.

In what looks set to be a busy end to the transfer window, the Hoops are also aiming to strengthen their squad with the addition of West Ham’s Andy Irving.

Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson told Football Insider on 15 August that Irving could join Celtic “next week” after opening the door to the move.

(Credit: Imago)

The one-cap Scotland international has attracted interest from both Celtic and Rangers this summer, amid a growing feeling that he will leave West Ham.

Former West Ham scout Mick Brown told Football Insider in June that Celtic will step up their chase for Irving as they aim to strengthen their midfield this summer.

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