Despite the club failing to secure his signature during the summer transfer window.
The failed attempt has not ended the pursuit, and the latest update from Italy has brought the situation back into focus as the winter window approaches.
Supporters have been left wondering whether the Glasgow side will return for a player who was firmly on their radar only a few months ago.
The 22-year-old Lithuania international was a clear target for Martin O’Neill’s side, with Celtic exploring a deal before the September deadline.
Although negotiations failed to produce an agreement, the latest reports suggest he remains on the club’s radar.
That continued interest is notable given how close both parties appeared to come during the summer, and it underlines how highly the player is still rated by the Celtic recruitment team.
The midfielder’s name has therefore returned to the transfer conversation ahead of January.
Celtic were unable to complete the move during the summer, but the report from Italy indicates that their interest has remained strong.
For a club still assessing its options in central areas, the possibility of revisiting a familiar target offers a degree of continuity in an otherwise fluid transfer market.
The report does not confirm that a new bid has been submitted. It instead indicates that Celtic’s interest remains, leaving the possibility of renewed talks open as the next window draws closer.
Any future discussions would need to bridge the gap that prevented a deal last time, yet the fact that the interest has not faded is significant in itself.
Keep up with the latest Celtic transfer rumours as they happen. The latest update arrives as the club continues to assess its midfield options and considers whether a previous target could become relevant again.
With the January window now on the horizon, every piece of information about available midfielders carries extra weight for supporters and the coaching staff alike.
The update comes as Celtic continue to face questions about their midfield balance following Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Dundee United.
The result has brought renewed attention to the team’s ability to control matches and dictate the tempo against domestic opponents.
While the side showed character to fight back for a point, the performance once again highlighted areas that O’Neill is still working to improve.
Captain Callum McGregor acknowledged the team’s difficulties controlling matches, with O’Neill still searching for greater consistency in the middle of the park.
Those concerns provide the context for the latest transfer discussion. A more settled and dynamic midfield unit remains one of the manager’s clear priorities as he looks to restore Celtic’s usual authority in the Scottish Premiership.
The player involved is Gvidas Gineitis, the Lithuania international whose situation at Torino has changed since Celtic first explored a move.
His name remains familiar to the club after the summer negotiations, and the latest Italian reporting suggests he has not been forgotten in Glasgow.
CeltsAreHere previously reported direct contact between Celtic and Gineitis’ representatives during the summer.
His agent, Dmitry Vinokurov, told the site in August that communication had taken place, although no offer had been made at that point. The early dialogue established that the player was firmly on Celtic’s shortlist long before formal proposals were tabled.
“Yes, people from Celtic have been in contact with me, but there was no offer yet.”
Celtic subsequently pursued a deal, with their final proposal understood to be worth approximately €6million plus add-ons. The offer followed the earlier contact with the player’s representatives, but it did not lead to an agreement.
Torino held firm on a higher valuation, and the two clubs were unable to find common ground before the window closed.
Torino wanted a more lucrative package, and the midfielder remained in Italy. The difference between the clubs’ positions prevented the transfer from being completed.
That financial gap remains one of the key talking points as speculation begins to build once more around a possible January revival of the deal.
The failed pursuit came during a summer of considerable midfield changes at Celtic, with Arne Engels and Reo Hatate departing and Oliver Sørensen arriving on loan from Parma. Those movements reshaped the club’s midfield options and left O’Neill working with a different blend of experience and youth.
The arrival of Sørensen provided a short-term solution, yet questions about long-term balance have persisted into the new season.
The earlier contact established that Celtic had spoken with the player’s representatives, while Vinokurov’s comments also made clear that no offer had initially been received.
A proposal followed later in the summer, demonstrating that the club were prepared to move beyond exploratory talks. Ultimately, however, the valuation difference proved decisive.
Gineitis’ situation at Torino has changed since Celtic’s initial interest.
The Lithuanian started the club’s opening three Serie A matches but has since struggled to secure regular playing time amid increased competition for places. That shift in status has inevitably raised questions about his long-term future in Italy and whether a change of scenery could benefit both player and club.
He recently acknowledged his frustration with the situation, describing the recent period as difficult while making clear that he had continued to train.
His comments offered an insight into his experience at the Italian club and suggested a player who remains determined despite limited opportunities.
“These haven’t been the best months of my life, but I’ve always trained,” he said.
However, a January departure is not guaranteed. His current position at Torino could still change, particularly because an injury to a fellow midfielder may create another opportunity for him to force his way back into the side.
Any improvement in his game time would naturally alter the dynamics of any potential transfer talks.
An injury to fellow midfielder Rolando Mandragora could offer Gineitis another opportunity to establish himself in Torino’s starting eleven.
That possibility may affect his immediate prospects and the likelihood of a winter move. Celtic will be monitoring the situation closely, aware that a return to regular football in Serie A could reduce the player’s willingness to leave in January.
The situation at Torino is therefore an important part of any potential Celtic approach.
The midfielder has not secured regular minutes recently, but the injury could provide a route back into the starting side. How Gineitis responds to that opportunity, if it arrives, will be watched carefully by clubs still tracking his progress.
The financial side of the deal now appears relatively clear. If Torino are genuinely prepared to negotiate between €8m and €10m, Celtic know roughly what would be required to bring the Lithuania international back into consideration.
That figure represents a significant increase on the package the club were prepared to offer in the summer.
That reported valuation is above Celtic’s final summer proposal, understood to be approximately €6million plus add-ons. Torino wanted a more lucrative package at the time, and the difference prevented an agreement.
Whether Celtic are now prepared to meet a higher asking price will depend on how urgently they view the need to strengthen the midfield before the second half of the season.
The bigger question is whether the club remain prepared to invest that level of money in a midfielder they ultimately decided not to push the boat out for during the summer.
The decision would represent a fresh assessment of both the player’s value and the team’s requirements under O’Neill. Any willingness to increase the offer would signal a clear shift in priorities.
The reported fee would require Celtic to revisit the level of investment considered previously. The club’s willingness to do so remains uncertain, despite the questions surrounding its midfield balance. Supporters will be watching closely for any indication that talks have been reopened or that a revised proposal is being prepared.
Celtic would need to consider whether their position has changed since the previous negotiations.
The latest report keeps the possibility alive, but the financial gap that stopped the summer transfer remains relevant. Bridging that gap would require both clubs to show greater flexibility than they displayed last time around.
With O’Neill looking to improve the balance of his midfield, the Torino midfielder could return to the conversation if Celtic decide January is the time to act. His situation and Torino’s valuation will remain important factors.
The club’s need for greater consistency in midfield has been highlighted following the draw with Dundee United. McGregor acknowledged the difficulties controlling matches, while O’Neill continues searching for a more settled balance that can both protect the defence and drive attacks forward with greater authority.
The summer transfer activity also remains part of the picture, with Engels and Hatate departing and Sørensen arriving on loan from Parma.
Celtic’s previous interest in the Torino player came during that period of change, and the subsequent months have only reinforced the sense that further midfield reinforcement may still be required. Whether that reinforcement comes in the form of a renewed push for Gineitis or a different target remains to be seen.
For now, Tuttosport’s report suggests that Celtic’s interest has not disappeared. The summer move failed to materialise, but the midfielder remains a familiar option as the January window approaches.
That continuity of interest is itself noteworthy in a market where clubs often move on quickly from failed pursuits.
Whether that interest develops into another approach is not yet certain. Torino’s willingness to negotiate, the reported €8m to €10m valuation and the player’s opportunities in Italy could all shape the situation in the weeks ahead. Celtic will also need to decide whether the profile of player they require has shifted since the summer, or whether Gineitis still represents the right fit for O’Neill’s evolving side.
Gineitis is one name who could quickly return to the conversation as O’Neill looks to improve Celtic’s midfield balance. Any renewed pursuit would depend on the club deciding to act and being prepared to meet Torino’s demands. Until clearer signals emerge from either Glasgow or Turin, the story remains one of lingering interest rather than imminent transfer activity. Supporters will continue to monitor developments closely as the January window draws nearer and the need for midfield reinforcement remains a live issue for the current Celtic squad.