Celtic have been linked with a number of players in recent times and fortunately for the Hoops, it has appeared that they have been successful in signing some of their biggest targets. As a result, Ange Postecoglou has a great squad to pick his starting XI from in the upcoming season. That does not mean that there are not areas where they could improve.

One such area is defensive midfield, which was weakened by the departure of long-time star, Nir Bitton, at the end of the previous season. And now, the Hoops have been handed a blow in their quest to sign him.

Vinicius Souza is someone Celtic have been heavily linked with in recent times but the club seem to have lost the transfer race to sign the Brazilian midfielder, who has drawn the interest of several players around Europe.

But as tweeted out by Fabrizio Romano, Espanyol are set to sign Souza and the deal is almost done:

Huge Celtic transfer blow in race to sign midfielder

Thus, it appears that Celtic are no longer going to be able to sign one of their top targets when it comes to defensive midfield.

Souza impressed immensely while on loan at Belgian top flight club, KV Mechelen, last season and could have proven to be a brilliant signing for Celtic. But now, the Hoops will have to move their eyes elsewhere.

In some ways, this is a relief for Celtic as well though, as the transfer saga involving Souza was starting to drag on for longer than the Hoops would have hoped. Defensive midfield is a position where they urgently need in bring in reinforcements though and could not have waited much longer for the Brazilian midfielder to make his decision. Now, they can finally move their attention towards other targets in the position and will hopefully be successful in signing them this time around.