Celtic Ready To Revive £9m Bid For Serie A Star: Should The Hoops Return In January?

Celtic Ready To Revive £9m Bid For Serie A Star: Should The Hoops Return In January? Celtic could reopen talks for Gvidas Gineitis in January after their summer pursuit collapsed late in the transfer window. Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider reports that the club still want the 22-year-old Lithuanian international, who emerged as their main midfield target. Celtic reportedly pushed with a £9m proposal, but Torino valued Gineitis closer to £13m, leaving the sides unable to agree on a fee. The failed move came after Celtic missed out on Champions League qualification, which reduced money available for recruitment. Gineitis’ agent Dmitry Vinokurov said the coaching and football staff supported the move, while figures remained less convinced about committing funds. He added that Celtic and the player never agreed personal terms because the club wanted to settle the fee with Torino first. Gineitis came off at half-time during Torino’s 2-0 defeat by Roma on September 14, with Daniel Bragança replacing him. That gives Celtic another reason to keep watching his situation. Celtic and Gineitis: Should O’Neill return in January? FLORENCE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Gvidas Gineitis of Torino FC in action during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Torino FC at Stadio Artemio Franchi on September 5, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images) For me, Celtic should revisit the deal, but only if Torino materially reduce the fee or accept a sensible loan structure. The summer collapse exposed a gap between the coaching staff’s desire for Gineitis and the board’s willingness to spend, yet the player still offers qualities that the squad could use. Being tall and left-footed, Gineitis can add size, ball recovery and range from central midfield. He played 31 times for Torino across league and cup competitions last season, so the interest did not come from a tiny sample. However, his early 2026/27 minutes have been limited, and his passing numbers require caution before Celtic commit serious money. That matters because his playing style is risky. Gineitis can lose possession when opponents press aggressively, while his lateral movement can leave gaps during quick transitions. Celtic would need him to improve those details rather than rely on his physical presence. Martin O’Neill knows the football department wanted him, while Celtic signed Oliver Sørensen after failing to secure their preferred target. If Gineitis loses his Torino place, his situation could change quickly. A January move would make sense if Celtic can secure a lower fee than the summer figure. Paying £13m after reduced involvement would be more risky, especially for a player who has yet to establish himself consistently in Serie A. The sensible route would be to negotiate hard and make Torino decide whether keeping an unsettled midfielder serves them better than accepting a lower deal for a player Celtic already know well.