Celtic will have to come up with a package worth more than £6million to sign Diomansy Kamara on a permanent basis from Fulham.
Interim boss Neil Lennon wants to retain the Senegal striker for next season if he lands the top job at Parkhead. But Sportsmail understands the English club would want a transfer fee of around £3.5m, following January's initial loan deal.
Lennon hails Kamara after his goal at Dundee United on Sunday and would like to keep the on-loan striker
With Kamara likely to command wages of around £20,000 per week, it would be a significant statement of intent from the Hoops hierarchy to move for the 29-year-old, who has impressed during an injury-hit spell in Glasgow.
Kamara, who played for Tony Mowbray at West Brom, insists he wants to stay, despite the Englishman's recent departure from Celtic.
'I have a good feeling here,' he said. 'I was unlucky with my hamstring injury earlier but I have enjoyed my time here. I was a bit sad when Mowbray left because I had a good rapport with him. But Celtic are bigger than any coach or player and I want to stay.
'I love this club but, in football, you are never sure what will happen. Sometimes you might want to stay at a club but end up playing elsewhere.'
Lennon believes Kamara is one of the few Mowbray loan signings who can benefit Celtic in the longer term.
Landry N'Guemo's £1.7m price tag is likely to prevent a permanent move from Nancy and Edson Braafheid will return to Bayern Munich. Spurs star Robbie Keane, meanwhile, looks too expensive to keep.
Lennon said: 'It's not up to me (who stays). But, in my opinion, Kamara would be good enough. I like his attitude. He has pace, power and a decent touch.
'Listen, he has played in the Premiership. I like his type.'