The Fares Ghedjemis mystery. If it really is a straight battle between Celtic and the Rangers, then Celtic win all day…
Fares Ghedjemis was said to have been on Celtic’s radar back in January, with it being reported that we were close to completing a deal for the Algerian International, only for the deal to go south in the late stages.
Now it seems that we have resurrected our interest in the skilful wide man who is currently with Italian side Frosinone.
Ghedjemis, who operates on the right side of the attack, had a stand out campaign in Serie B, helping Frosinone finish in 2nd place, which earned the club promotion to Serie A, with the Algerian a key player, scoring 15 goals and registering 3 assists.
Like most of you, I know very little about the Algerian, but he’s a highly regarded player, with several top Italian sides including Juventus said to have been interested in signing the 23 year old who has two caps for Algeria, so he must be a player of quality, and also potential.
Interestingly, the player over the past few days has also been touted for a move to our Glasgow rivals the Rangers. With more than a few outlets stating that the Ibrox club are now interested in signing the Algerian in this transfer window.
Ironically on the same morning of the Fares Ghedjemis to Ibrox rumour, the ever reliable Stephen McGowan of The Herald reported that Celtic had rekindled their interest in the attacker, much to the delight of the Scottish hacks who have naturally billed it as a battle between the two Glasgow giants for the in-demand player.
Martin O’Neill has even stated that the club have targeted Ghedjemis and remain interested in signing him, so it does seem that we are definitely firmly back in the hunt for the 23 year old. Yesterday the Celtic manager had this to say about the latest Ghedjemis signing race.
“I don’t know whether Rangers are trying to sign him. But we have a very strong interest in him. I don’t know about the other thing,” the Celtic manager said, as reported by Daily Record.
Asked if the Algerian winger was one of the players Celtic were close to signing, O’Neill smiled: “I don’t know how close we can get, but we are genuinely making good progress.”
No concrete interest has been put forward that the Ibrox club are in for the player, so it could well be that Celtic are the ones in the driving seat, not that you would know that judging by the reporting on the SMSM. If it is a straight battle between the two Glasgow clubs, then one can only assume that Celtic are firmly in the driving seat.
At a reported £8 million, Celtic have the finances to complete a deal, whilst the Ibrox club despite the widespread public opinion, don’t.
Celtic also have the carrot of possible Champions League football and have won 14 out of the last 15 titles in Scottish football with our signing rivals only having the covid year cup to their name.
So I would say Celtic would be clear favourites to sign Fares Ghedjemis. The only hope for the latest Ibrox club, if they are actually pursuing the player is that they are up against Celtic CEO Michael Nicholson, working at snail pace on transfer dealings, haggling over relatively small sums and lowballing every selling club he comes across.
If you look at it that way maybe the Rangers are in with a shout after all!
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
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2 Comments
Any deal for any potential quality players, will ultimately come down to what contract, we are willing to offer?
Moreso than the actual fee that could be involved, as that brings far more clubs into the equation imo?
We are targeting the wide right area, which I would agree with?
Especially with the prospect of a Jota return?
And Yang, Forrest and even Hatton could offer flexibility with potentially able to operate on either flank?
Still believe MoN will want at least 5 wide options in place?
Could make that claim already, if you consider Duran as a potential option?
Still believe that our finalised 25man European squad, will consist of at least 7 attacking options?
Even at that, there hopefully will be competition and flexibility in place for those starting positions?
MoN might even consider 8 attacking options?
But that would possibly require a decision made upon how jota is recovering in his comeback?
Against, whether a 5th CB should be included, with the injury concerns of both CCV and Murray?
What we are potentially looking at, is the team that starts the season?
Won’t be the one that finishes it, that’s nearly a certainty?
Stephen, tell me what you know about haggling that Celtic don’t. All this sniping at M.N. and the board is out of order and the club have the bank balance and success to prove it. This toxic behaviour from the Green Brigade etc being fuelled by the press and gullible fans yelling “Give them the money” are bringing the club down, not the board. Lay off.