"We are looking for an experienced player who can help us progress straight away.  We have done a lot of research, and we know the transfer market well"We will take some decisions in the coming days - that is for certain."

Celtic boss Gordon Strachan is a huge fan of Vennegoor of Hesselink having snapped him up from PSV for a knockdown £2.3 million fee two years ago.

However, if Celtic fancied doubling their money on Vennegoor of Hesselink and also landing Atouba as part of a £7 million deal then it would be a shrewd piece of business.

Celtic are already looking at striking targets for the new season and have options at avrious price brackets in their sights and would need to speed up that process if the Dutchman was allowed to leave.

Hamburg finished fourth in the Bundelsiga last season, but with Jol at the helm are planning on challenging Bayern for the title and going all the way in the UEFA Cup.