Celtic have missed out on signing Lithuanian international midfielder Gvidas Gineitis after Torino rejected a potential £9 million bid on transfer deadline day. The 23-year-old had become the Scottish champions' top midfield target following the summer sale of Arne Engels, but a fee could not be agreed with the Serie A side.
According to a report from the Daily Record Football, Celtic had been tracking Gineitis since January and made a concerted push to sign him last Wednesday ahead of their Europa League squad deadline. When that attempt failed, they returned with another offer on the final day of the window, but Torino deemed the proposed £9 million insufficient. The Scottish Premiership leaders, who sit top with a perfect record of four wins from four games, scoring 11 goals and conceding just two, will now consider returning for the player in January.
Why did the Gineitis transfer collapse?
Torino's summer business appears to have been a key factor in their reluctance to sell. The Italian club signed midfielders Rolando Mandragora and Daniel Braganca during the window, moves that were seen as preparation for Gineitis' potential exit. However, head coach Ignazio Abate indicated the club felt they had the necessary squad depth. "The club has given me the players I need," Abate said. "We've strengthened the flanks, and two midfielders have arrived. We kept the players we need. Now we need to find the right fit."
Abate's comments, made ahead of Torino's match against Fiorentina this Saturday, suggest the club was under no pressure to sell. Celtic's bid, reportedly in the region of £9 million, was not enough to change their stance. The failed move leaves Celtic two points clear at the top of the Premiership but still assessing their midfield options ahead of their next fixture, a home match against Motherwell on December 26th.
How does this affect Celtic's midfield plans?
Gineitis was identified as a potential replacement for Arne Engels, who moved to West Ham for £22 million earlier in the summer. Celtic had previously received a £25 million bid for Engels from Nottingham Forest before his eventual move to London. The pursuit of Gineitis shows the club's ongoing search for midfield reinforcement, a need that persists despite their strong start to the domestic season.
The senior squad is also managing several absences, with Alistair Johnston, Callum Osmand, Jota, Kasper Høgh, and Kieran Tierney all currently sidelined. Fans can check the latest availability on the club's injuries page. This context makes the missed signing more significant, as manager Brendan Rodgers looks to maintain momentum across multiple competitions.
What did Torino's manager say about his new signings?
Ignazio Abate provided specific assessments of his incoming players, which further explains Torino's position. He praised Mandragora as the most prepared of the new arrivals. Of Braganca, he noted the player's quality but also his need for time to integrate. "Mandragora is the most ready of all," Abate stated. "Braganca has great quality and depth, but he hasn't trained much with the team and needs time."
Abate also mentioned he is still evaluating Scotland international Nathan Patterson and that summer signing Rafik Belghali, while needing time, has a physical structure that should allow him to reach fitness quickly. These evaluations indicate Torino are in a period of squad integration themselves, making them less likely to sanction a late sale of a player like Gineitis unless the offer was compelling.
What happens next for Celtic?
The immediate focus returns to the pitch, where Celtic's flawless league form has them leading the standings. The collapse of the Gineitis deal means the current midfield group must carry the load until at least the January window opens. The club's recruitment team will continue to monitor the Lithuanian, but other targets may also emerge.
Celtic's next challenge is a home match against fourth-placed Motherwell on Boxing Day, a fixture you can find on the official fixtures schedule. The winter window will present another opportunity to address the midfield, with Gvidas Gineitis likely remaining on their shortlist after this week's unsuccessful negotiations.
