CELTS LINE UP pounds 5M SIGNORI.

Lazio chiefs last night lifted the lid on Celtic's secret bid for pounds 5million striker Giuseppe Signori.

The Italian star has been frozen out of the Serie A giants' plans.

And Celtic - desperate for a natural scorer since selling Pierre van Hooijdonk and Jorge Cadete - have told the Rome club to name their price for the 29- year-old.

Lazio Media Officer Giuseppe De Mita revealed: "Celtic have expressed their interest in Signori to us and have asked to be told as soon as he is available.

"Paris St Germain and Borussia Dortmund are also keen to sign him as well as a club in England.

"Giuseppe has told us he definitely does not want to play in England - but going to Scotland is another story."

Club president Dino Zoff confirmed to Italian journalists this week that Signori can leave.

He has dropped to fourth in the queue for a striking spot behind Pierluigi Casiraghi, Alen Boksic and veteran Robero Mancini - despite grabbing 105 goals in five seasons with Lazio.

And he is also desperate to resurrect his international career after seeing it crash in after seeing it crash in 1995 under Arrigo Sacchi.

But Zoff insists that won't happen at Lazio and rapped: "If Signori isn't happy he can leave."

Celts are still trailing pounds 2million Rosenborg striker Harald Brattbakk and Wim Jansen has made it plain he wants a signing despite the return of Darren Jackson and Tommy Johnson.

And Jansen stressed: "No matter what happens with those two we need a striker.

That has not changed." But General Manager Jock Brown- back after his midweek health scare - remains adamant the club won't be rushed.

He said: "People say the strikers are there and we should just go and pay the money.

That's absolute NONSENSE.

Clubs don't want to sell players of quality.

We have a clear idea of what we want and we will wait until we get it right.