Celtic join Fulham in Peterborough United transfer battle amid £1m bid | OneFootball

Celtic and Fulham are set to race for the signature of Peterborough defender Harley Mills

Celtic have reportedly joined the race for Peterborough United full-back Harley Mills.

That’s according to a report from the Scottish Sun, who revealed the Premiership winners’ interest in the League One youngster.

It follows Football League World exclusively revealing last week that Premier League outfit Fulham have submitted a £1m bid for the player, and the now interested duo gives both Mills and Posh plenty to think about this summer.

Celtic eye Harley Mills deal after Fulham submit 7-figure transfer bid

The Scottish Sun revealed that the Hoops have now joined Fulham in the race for Mills.

Celtic reportedly view the 19-year-old as ideal back-up for Kieran Tierney, who is returning to Celtic Park this summer after his contract at Arsenal expires.

Mills began the 2024/25 season on loan at sixth-tier outfit Enfield Town, before he was recalled at the beginning of November.

Towards the end of the season, he began breaking into the Posh’s first team, making 17 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals and providing two assists, including an incredible free-kick against Birmingham City at Wembley in the Vertu Trophy final.

Peterborough United in no hurry to accept Harley Mills bids despite contract situation

Mills’ breakthrough and quick impact on Peterborough’s first team at such a young age is what has made Fulham and Celtic sit up and take notice.

Nevertheless, the Posh are in no rush to accept a transfer offer for Mills even with his current contract expiring this summer, even with a £1m sat on the table.

The club have offered Mills improved terms to stay at the Weston Homes Stadium, but it remains to be seen where the left-back’s future lies this summer.

Peterborough must avoid Kwame Poku mistake with Harley Mills

The top-level interest in Mills, and subsequently bids, will lie in stark contrast with Peterborough’s Kwame Poku saga this summer.

Poku is set to leave the club this summer after his contract has been allowed to expire, with Birmingham – who offered the forward a £30k-per-week contract as exclusively revealed by FLW – battling newly-promoted Premier League side Sunderland for his signature, with Peterborough now powerless in the situation.

It will therefore be music to the ears of Posh fans that the club are in talks with Mills over a new contract, avoiding a similar case to Poku further down the line.

Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony revealed last year that Luton Town bid millions for Poku at the end of the transfer window, an offer the decision-maker viewed as an “okay bid”.

MacAnthony rejected that approach as it’s he felt it was similar to what they’ll receive at tribunal for Poku anyway, on account of the player’s age and Peterborough’s role in his development.

Nevertheless, it reduces the Posh’s ability to insert sell-on clause and other terms into the deal, which is a scenario they will want to avoid with Mills, although they may be powerless to stop him now moving north of the border for a small compensation fee.

Fulham and Celtic’s interest in Mills is another side Peterborough are getting their youth recruitment right, but they have plenty of work to do this summer to ensure they strengthen their position with regards to the defender.