Martin O’Neill has confirmed that Celtic have strong interest in signing Fares Ghedjemis.
The Algerian winger impressed last season as Frosinone won promotion from Serie B.
Ghedjemis impressed enough to have Celtic on his trail in January. At one stage Celtic seemed close to a deal, when it fell through they turned to Joel Mvuka.
The sale of Daizen Maeda has reduced Celtic’s wide options to the bare bones. Some fans would argue that there are no wingers good enough to earn a starting place.
On Friday morning there were reports that Ghedjemis was a transfer target for Derek McInnes.
That changed dramatically at lunchtime when Stephen McGowan revealed that there was renewed interest from Celtic.
O’Neill rarely admits gives anything away on potential signing targets- unless it is quite far down the road.
O’NEILL NODS TOWARDS CELTIC TRANSFER INTEREST
Last Saturday he was happy to take questions and discuss Kasper Hogh. Three days later Celtic signed the striker from Bodo Glimt.
He didn’t discuss Ghedjemis quite as openly but asked about interest across Glasgow, The Sun reported O’Neill saying:
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 report added:
Asked if Ghedjemis 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.”
Turning 24 next month, Ghedjemis is outwith the traditional project signing category that Celtic have recently concentrated on.
With 15 goals from 37 appearances in Serie B last season he has a cutting edge to his play as well as the tricks expected of a winger.
It is too late to have any new signings in place for Monday’s SPFL opener against Dundee, the clock is now racing towards Celtic’s Champions League Play Off ties.
August 13 is the signing deadline. two changes can be added to the squad 24 hours before the first leg on August 18 or 19.
There is unlikely to be any further transfer update from O’Neill until Monday’s match against Dundee.
So far Celtic have signed Hogh and Camilo Duran during the transfer window. Maeda, Kelechi Iheanacho, Marcelo Saracchi and Kasper Schmeichel have moved on for a variety of reasons.
CLICK HERE for Ghedjemis Transfermarkt profile.
Joe he wanted Saracchi that never happened so being a yes man he will get what they want to bring if any more, they are ripping this squad to pieces to have money in the bank, feel so sorry for Callum for staying hopefully everything crossed I am wrong.
Editor: This site is full of criticism for Nicholson and Wilson. If O’Neill trusts them to do their job he has to suffer the consequences, he agreed to the job without making any transfer demands.
Lets hope tjis goes ocer and also sarrachi, a goalie, hassan , 2cb and a hard man middie with a killer pass and thats me till summer.