Olympiacos F.C.'s latest transfer developments are good news for both Celtic F.C. and Hull City A.F.C. The two British clubs share a transfer target that the Greek giants now appear to have abandoned.

Olympiacos is looking to strengthen its defense ahead of next season and wants to have four quality center-backs to meet the challenges ahead and deliver a better performance than last year.

Jose Luis Mendilibar’s side will compete in the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds and has no intention of missing out on Europe’s premier club competition.

To achieve that, the club is already active in the transfer market, looking to sign quality players who can join preseason training from the very beginning.

One of the players Olympiacos had been monitoring closely was Swedish center back Zinedin Smajlovic of Sandefjord.

Smajlovic has also attracted interest from several other clubs, including Celtic, Hull City, Rangers, Toulouse, and others.

However, a recent report from Sport24.gr states that the Red and Whites have decided to look elsewhere.

According to the report, the Greek club is now working on signing Portuguese defender Domingos Duarte, whose contract with La Liga side Getafe expires on June 30, 2026.

Duarte, 31, appears to be Mendilibar’s preferred choice to serve as the team’s second right-sided center back behind captain Panagiotis Retsos.

According to the report, Thrylos are currently negotiating the contractual details with the Portuguese defender and discussing the role he would have in the squad next season.

"The Red and Whites have contacts with Domingos Duarte, with whom they are negotiating the issue of his contract, but also his role in the team."

Sport24.gr adds that Olympiacos is still evaluating other alternatives, but the fact that negotiations with Duarte have already reached the contract stage makes it clear that he is one of the sporting department’s priority targets.

"At the same time, however, there are other cases on the table. In case the Red and Whites decide, for some reason, to change course in their decision on the defense."

This is good news for both Celtic and Hull City, particularly for the Scottish side.

According to Football Insider (h/t TransferFeed), Celtic is preparing to submit an improved bid for Smajlovic after its initial £3.5 million offer was rejected by the Norwegian club.

If Celtic returns with a better offer, it will now have a greater chance of completing the signing, as the competition for the player appears to have diminished.