CELTIC have made an official approach to sign Wanderers midfielder Luca Connell.

The 18-year-old has been tracked by a raft of clubs, including Leeds United, Wolves, Sheffield United, Tottenham and Rangers, but the Hoops have now become the first to make contact over a move.

It is not yet known what fee has been offered by Neil Lennon’s treble-winning side but sources at Wanderers say they are under no pressure to sell with a change of control at the club close.

Furthermore, it has recently emerged that the 12-month extension to Connell’s scholarship contract means there is no longer the risk of losing the midfielder’s services via a ‘training fee’.

Celtic will have to produce a price which would convince Bolton’s administrator – and potentially the club’s new owner – to do business.

Connell was brought into he Republic of Ireland squad by Mick McCarthy this summer for the first time, having previously played at youth level.

The Liverpool-born academy graduate has been with Bolton since the age of nine and was fast-tracked into the first team reckoning last season by Phil Parkinson having played only a handful of games at development squad level.

He made his debut against Bristol City in the FA Cup and then started another eight times in the Championship, picking up Wanderers’ young player of the year award.