CELTIC could face a battle with big-spending Newcastle United in their attempts to land Dutch star Maceo Rigters.

The Parkhead club have targeted the unknown NAC Breda star in a £350,000 deal, but that fee could rise dramatically if the Premiership outfit enter the race to sign the 23-year-old.

Director of development John Park watched Rigters for the second time as he turned on the style, netting for Holland in their 2-1 defeat of Portugal in the Under-21 European Championships on Wednesday evening.

Gordon Strachan, who landed Evander Sno is a similar deal last summer, believes he has the chance to unearth a top talent for the future and is keen to bring the powerful striker on board.

But news that Newcastle are also monitoring his progress could make it hard for Celtic to entice him to Scotland as St James' Park boss Sam Allardyce has cash to burn as he attempts to turn around the club's fortunes.

However, Rigters seems keen on Parkhead, and said: "I know Celtic have been watching me. My best friend Evander Sno plays for Celtic so that would be beautiful.

"If it's the case that Celtic and Newcastle are interested, then that would be fine as they are both big clubs with tradition and a long history.

"It would be great if it happened as I'm open to all offers and for myself as a footballer I'm ideally suited to Scottish or English football. We'll see, but I don't know anything and I haven't heard anything from my agent.

"But he knows that it has always been my desire to play in Britain."

Reports in Italy have also linked the SPL champs with potential moves for AC Milan winger Massimo Donati and Sampdoria midfielder Gennaro Delvecchio.

It's believed contact has already been made with the representatives of 26-year-old Donati as he considers moving from the San Siro, and Delvecchio is also thought to be keen on a fresh start at a new club.

And Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell promised supporters the summer spending spree isn't over.

He said: "As it stands, we know the positions we want to strengthen. We have a number of targets and we will go out and try and deliver those to Gordon.

"We're in control, we understand the market and we understand what we have to do. There will be another 10 weeks of this madness in the transfer market. We don't have a fixed budget or a fixed transfer kitty.

"What we want to do is to see where it goes and see where we can take opportunities to strengthen.

"The club is in good shape. We have a good, solid financial footing and a good manager and players. But you cannot rest on what you have already achieved, particularly not at Celtic."

One man who could make way for potential new signings in Craig Beattie, who is now being chased by Cardiff as well as West Brom.

But Lawwell insists he hasn't entered a battle with Rangers to prove Celtic are the top club in the country after battling it out for the same players, including Kilmarnock's Steven Naismith.

He said: "The fact Rangers and Celtic go for the top players in Scotland should not surprise anyone. The nature of the transfer market nowadays means we are focusing more on domestic-based players.

"It's inevitable the Old Firm will try to sign the best talent in Scotland. There's no war."