CELTIC have lost out in the race for target Mitchell Dijks after the Dutch full-back's club, Willem II, agreed a transfer fee with Eredivisie rivals Ajax.

Dijks was sold to Willem II last year by the Amsterdam giants, but after impressing in his left back role this term in the Dutch top flight, helping Jurgen Streppel's side to a ninth-place finish, Frank de Boer has opted to bring him back to the Amsterdam ArenA.

No transfer fee has been disclosed but a clause included in his move to Willem II means that Ajax are in line for 50 per cent of the sale, providing them ample leverage over fellow suitors Celtic, Feyenoord, AZ Alkmaar and Hertha Berlin.