It’s no secret that Celtic are in need of a new midfielder, especially with both Arne Engels and Reo Hatate expected to leave over the coming weeks…
West Ham’s pursuit of Arne Engels, who made his 100th and best appearance in a Celtic jersey at Rugby Park on Sunday, appears to have hit the rocks after the Championship side failed to meet Celtic’s valuation for the Belgian midfielder. Other suitors though are lurking and Engels may well still be sold before the window closes on 3rd September.
Reo Hatate’s agent presumably has had a busy summer but as of yet there has been nothing to suggest that there has been any bites for the supremely talented Japanese midfielder who appears to have gone into his shell at Celtic.
Again when clubs get to the ‘needs must’ stage in the summer transfer window Reo could get his move and that would be the best outcome for all parties as Celtic can’t be doing with want-aways remaining at the club.
Speculation over Paderborn’s German under 21 international Mika Baur has stalled somewhat, but one player we’ve recently been credited with an interest in is Torino midfielder Gvidas Gineitis.
However, Celtic face a battle land Gineitis, with several clubs also interested in the 29 times capped Lithuanian International, who has put in a string of impressive performances in the Italian top flight.
One such club who appears to be interested in the 22 year old is Austrian Giants RB Salzburg, who happens to be managed by former Ibrox boss Danny, Danny Rohl.
Rohl, who led the Rangers to third place in last year’s Scottish Premiership, left the latest Ibrox club for the Austrian outfit in the summer, and is slowly building his own side to try to wrestle the title away from Celtic’s UEFA Champions League playoff opponents LASK. Rohl apparently sees Gineitis as a major part of his plans.
The player’s agent recently hinted that his client could be in the move this summer, recently stating: “Gvidas is ambitious, as any player competing at this level should be. There have already been expressions of interest from other clubs, which is natural considering his age, performance, and potential.”
According to a report from Italian transfer expert Matteo Moretto, the Austrian Bundesliga side have emerged as contenders for his signature this summer.
A regular at the Stadio Olimpico Grande, Gineitis made 29 appearances for the club last season and is under contract with the Italian outfit until the summer of 2029. Gineitis is rated in the £12 million bracket, meaning Celtic would have to smash their transfer record for the second time this summer.
It remains to be seen if the Celtic hierarchy are prepared to do that, but with a bumper £25 million possibly on its way if Arne Engels moves on, they can certainly afford it.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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