Celtic’s €13m Bid for International Star Is Hours Away… But a Shock Transfer Twist Could Wreck the Deal
in the coming hours, according to fresh reports from Italian media.
The Parkhead club’s summer transfer window started slowly. Progress felt limited for several weeks. Now the situation has changed dramatically. Martin O’Neill and his recruitment team are finally ramping up activity at a rapid pace.
Two new faces have already arrived at Celtic Park. Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh have both completed their moves. Those signings have given the squad fresh options and lifted the mood around the club. Attention has now turned firmly toward securing a third new recruit before the window closes.
Reports earlier on Tuesday confirmed that a breakthrough had been made in discussions with Real Oviedo. Celtic have been chasing Egypt international Haissem Hassan for several weeks. The tricky winger remains a clear target. Negotiations appear to be moving in the right direction.
Yet Hassan is not the only player still high on O’Neill’s shortlist. Celtic still need to strengthen the midfield. The search for a new central option has become one of the most important tasks of the window.
Interest in Arne Engels has been well documented. Reports over the past week or two have suggested that the midfielder has already reached an agreement on personal terms with West Ham. That development has complicated Celtic’s chances of landing him.
Another option has also faded. A deal for Paderborn midfielder Mika Baur now looks dead in the water. The young German was keen on a move to Glasgow. His strong desire to join Celtic was clear. However, the promoted Bundesliga side have refused to cooperate. They have already lost several key players this summer and are determined not to lose another.
Celtic Return for Gineitis
Because of this situation, Celtic are preparing to return for Torino midfielder Gvidas Gineitis. The Lithuanian international is firmly back on the radar. Italian outlet Calcionews24 has reported that an improved bid is expected imminently.
Celtic made an opening offer of €7.5 million around three weeks ago. That bid was rejected. Torino made their position clear. They value the player significantly higher.
The Italian club are understood to want around €13 million for the towering 22-year-old. That figure represents a substantial outlay for Celtic. It would also mark a clear statement of intent if the Scottish champions can meet it.
Despite the gap in valuation, Celtic have shown no intention of abandoning their pursuit. The club remains determined to land the player. Gineitis made 29 appearances in Serie A last season. His physical presence, progressive passing, and ability to control the middle of the park have impressed scouts across Europe.
It is believed that Celtic’s new offer could land at around €10 million. That figure is unlikely to be enough to convince Torino to sell immediately. However, it would represent meaningful progress. It would also keep the conversation alive between the two clubs.
Torino do not appear to be insisting that the full €13 million is paid upfront. This opens the door for a more creative structure. Performance-related bonuses and add-ons could help bridge the gap. Celtic may be able to construct a package that satisfies both sides without stretching their budget beyond comfortable limits.
Competition Heats Up
There is one major complication. Celtic are far from the only club interested in Gineitis. On Monday, Sky Italia reported that RB Salzburg are also keenly pursuing the Lithuanian midfielder.
Talks between Torino and Salzburg are already in full swing. The Austrian side, now managed by former Rangers boss Danny Rohl, are moving aggressively. Their interest has added a new layer of urgency to Celtic’s plans.
If Celtic want to get a deal over the line, they may have to act fast. Delaying any further could allow Salzburg to seize the initiative. A rival bid from the Red Bull club would create a genuine transfer twist that Celtic supporters will not want to see unfold.
The timing of Celtic’s next move is therefore critical. An improved offer in the next few hours would show serious intent. It would also put pressure on Torino to decide whether they prefer Celtic’s proposal or the alternative from Salzburg.
What Gineitis Would Bring
Gineitis is a modern midfielder with an imposing physical profile. At 22 years old, he still has significant room to develop. His experience in Serie A has already given him a solid foundation at a high level.
He is comfortable progressing the ball from deep positions. He can break lines with progressive passes. He also offers defensive solidity and the ability to win duels in the middle of the park. Those attributes would give Celtic’s midfield greater balance and steel.
For a club that regularly competes on multiple fronts, adding a player of his profile makes clear sense. The Scottish Premiership demands intensity. European nights demand composure and quality. Gineitis has shown he can handle both.
His international status with Lithuania also adds another layer of appeal. He is already a regular for his country. That experience of senior international football is valuable for a young player still establishing himself.
Celtic’s Wider Window
The potential move for Gineitis sits within a broader recruitment drive. The arrivals of Duran and Hogh have already strengthened the squad. A successful deal for Hassan would add creativity and pace in the final third. Landing a midfielder of Gineitis’s quality would complete a significant overhaul of key areas.
Celtic’s slow start to the window created frustration among sections of the support. The recent acceleration has changed the mood. Fans are now watching every development with heightened interest. The next 48 hours could prove decisive on more than one front.
The situation with Engels remains a separate strand. His reported personal terms with West Ham have complicated matters. Celtic may still monitor that situation, but the focus has clearly shifted toward players who remain more realistically available.
The collapse of the Baur deal has also forced a rethink. Paderborn’s refusal to negotiate left Celtic looking elsewhere. Gineitis represents a higher-profile alternative with proven top-flight experience.
The Road Ahead
Everything now hinges on the next few hours. Celtic are expected to submit an improved bid. Torino will then decide whether the offer is worth serious consideration or whether they prefer to continue talks with Salzburg.
A structured deal involving bonuses could still unlock progress. Both clubs appear open to creative solutions. The key will be whether Celtic can move quickly enough to prevent a rival from gaining the upper hand.
For Celtic supporters, the story has all the ingredients of a classic late-window drama. An improved bid is imminent. The valuation gap remains significant. A determined rival is already in talks. The outcome is far from certain.
What is clear is that Celtic have no intention of walking away. The pursuit of Gvidas Gineitis is very much alive. The next move from the Parkhead hierarchy will reveal just how determined they are to get the deal done.
As the transfer window enters its decisive phase, every development carries extra weight. Celtic’s push for the Lithuanian international could yet become one of the defining stories of their summer. Whether they can see it through will depend on speed, creativity, and a willingness to meet Torino somewhere close to their asking price.
The coming hours will provide the first real answers.