McGowan reveals that Celtic have revived interest in Fares Ghedjemis

The Algerian winger was strongly linked with Celtic during the January transfer window.

When that story ran aground the hoops switched their attention to a loan deal for Joel Mvuka.

That deal didn’t work out at all. Mvuka made two Scottish Cup appearances before quietly leaving at the end of the season.

With the SPFL season about to kick-off it seems that Celtic have gone into overdrive.

After completing deals involving Daizen Maeda and Kasper Hogh it was reported earlier today that Arne Engels is in talks over a move to West Ham.

Turning to incoming deals, at lunchtime today Stephen McGowan of the Herald reported:

Celtic have renewed their interest in £8million-rated Algerian winger Fares Ghedjemis.

A transfer target in January, the Parkhead side were close to tying up a permanent deal.

Persuaded to stay for a promotion push by Italian club Frosinone, the Scottish champions finished up landing loan signing Joel Mvuka instead.

With negotiations over Real Oviedo’s Egyptian World Cup winger Haissem Hassan dragging on, 23-year-old Ghedjemis is now an option being pursued.

Overseas reports have linked rivals Rangers with Ghedjemis. While the Ibrox side are in the market for a wide man and discussed his name, they are now prioritising other targets, including Brighton’s Amario Cozier-Duberry.

With Hogh and Camilo Duran signed it had seemed that Celtic’s dependency on wingers was going to be reduced

Signing Ghedjemis would contradict that.

Currently Martin O’Neill has James Forrest and Yang Hyun-jun available on the right. Sebastian Tounekti and Michel-Ange Balikwisha are the options on the left.

Tam Hatton has impressed in pre-season but clearly isn’t ready to become a regular.

CELTIC STEP UP TRANSFER ACTIVITY

Having revived their January interest in Hogh and signed him Celtic will have much of the groundwork in place for Ghedjemis.

With Daizen Maeda now at Ipswich Town Celtic have lost their last genuine threat from wide positions.

Over four and a half seasons Maeda brought something different to the Celtic attack, winning the SPFL title under three different manager.

Back in June O’Neill revealed that he would be making changes to the 4-3-3 formation that Celtic have favoured for more than a decade.

If Ghedjemis is signed up that new vision will start to take shape.

The transfer window remains open until September 3.

Celtic have until August 13 to register players for their Champions League Play Off on August 18/19 and 25/26. Two changes can be made 24 hours before the match.