Celtic are expected to sign the Hapoel Beer Sheva defender Hatem Abd Elhamed this summer.
The club’s manager has confirmed that the player’s choice is understandable.
Speaking to the Scottish Sun, he said: “It’s natural that Hatem will go to a big club like Celtic that pays him a lot of money.”
Elhamed will add some much-needed depth and quality to Celtic’s back four. The 28-year-old can play as a right-back as well as a centre back.
Neil Lennon has lost defenders like Boyata and Benkovic this summer and it is an area that the Hoops will have to strengthen significantly.