• Neil Lennon to hold contract talks with James this week
• England keeper tipped as replacement for Artur Boruc

Neil Lennon hopes to convince David James to join Celtic after describing the England goalkeeper as an ideal replacement for Artur Boruc.

Lennon, the Celtic manager, plans to meet the 39-year-old James at the end of the week, when the club return from their pre-season tour of America. James is a free agent after his contract at Portsmouth expired, and his capture would help offset the disappointment of the loss of Boruc to Fiorentina.

Although the veteran’s salary demands may ultimately stand in the way of a move, Lennon has been encouraged by the fact James’ agent made the first move by contacting Celtic.

“We are still a long way off and it’s early days in terms of negotiation. But just the fact he is interested is very encouraging from our point of view. I want to get the best goalkeeper I possibly can. Not only for the league and Europe but also someone who can fill Artur’s shoes – and he’s one who can.”

Lennon hopes to sell the club in a meeting with James before next week’s Champions League third-round qualifying first leg at Sporting Braga.

“He will come up and have a look and see if he fancies it,” Lennon said. “I’d like to speak to him myself and see what he is thinking, but the fact they have made the initial contact is very encouraging.”

James’ agent, Colin Gordon, told the Daily Mail: “I contacted Celtic after what happened with Boruc and we are really just waiting for Neil Lennon and Celtic to come back from America to see if it’s something we can progress. So there is an interest but nothing more than that at the moment.”

CelticDavid JamesPortsmouthTransfer windowguardian.co.uk