CELTIC want to move on players before the transfer window closes to help fund the arrival of at least two more targets on Gordon Strachan's wish list.

But Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink is not one of the men they are prepared to let go - even if Hamburg come up with an offer double what Celtic paid for him two years ago.

Reports from Germany claim the giant Dutch striker is a target for Hamburg boss Martin Jol, with £7million the offer the former Spurs boss is prepared to make.

However, Parkhead boss Strachan considers the 29-year-old hitman - who has two years remaining on the contract he signed when he joined from PSV Eindhoven in 2006 - as integral to his plans for the coming seasons. He would not sanction any attempt to sell Vennegoor, who has already been the subject of an enquiry from Feyenoord since he scored the goal which clinched the SPL title at Tannadice in May.

Strachan understands the more money raised from players going out, the more cash he will have to spend on strengthening his side.

Midfielder Marc Crosas will arrive tomorrow for a medical to seal his £415,000 move from Barcelona. He is expected to be paraded before Sunday's SPL opener against St Mirren.

But the search for defensive reinforcements continues. And the removal of Bobo Balde's £1.5m salary from the wage bill would be a huge help in clearing the way for another centre-back to be recruited.

However, despite the 32-year-old Guinean being allowed to leave on a free, and receiving offers to kick-start his career at both Sunder-land and Birmingham, Balde is digging his heels in.

He wants to at least maintain the salary he is currently enjoying, a request which is proving too expensive for Blues gaffer Alex McLeish.

The former Rangers boss said: "At some stage we have to say no to certain demands. I'm not saying he's greedy, it's up to Bobo to ask for what he thinks is right for him. But it's too rich for us."

Balde appears to be playing a game of poker, and Celtic must decide if he is bluffing when he indicates he is more concerned about retaining his wage than playing regular football.

Celtic are determined not to pay Balde a compensation package as they consider letting him leave without demanding a transfer fee is taking a big enough hit.

But while Balde and Thomas Gravesen - who earns even more than the defender - continue to be a drain on the club's resources, the scope to add players is restricted.

Celtic have walked away from Auxerre centre-back Gabriel Tamas.

Le Mans defender Marko Basa was a long-term target, but the Serb looks set for Moscow, with Spartak and Lokomotiv fighting to sign him in a £5.7m deal.

Meanwhile, captain Stephen McManus and Mark Wilson trained today and were passed fit for Sunday.