Agent of Celtic transfer target on why move didn't materialise as Champions League factor decreased 'chances'

The agent of failed Celtic transfer target Gvidas Gineitis claims the Hoops’ Champions League play-off defeat decreased the ‘chances’ of a move.

The 22-year old Torino midfielder was linked with a move to Glasgow throughout the summer window - but disputes over the valuation of the player meant the Celtic board weren’t fully committed to a deal. Gineitis’ agent Dmitri Vinokurov now also reckons that their 5-4 capitulation against LASK Linz in their Champions League decider last month also had an impact.

Celtic boss Martin O’Neill brought in six new players towards the latter stages of the transfer window, but the Lithuanian wasn’t one of them. Torino reportedly valued the player at around £13m but Celtic were only prepared to pay around £9m.

Gineitis’ agent on transfer collapse

Vinokurov told Lithuanian media outlet LRT: “I think if they (Celtic) had qualified for the Champions League, then we would have had more chances for this transfer. I think then Celtic would have satisfied the wishes of the Turin club. They would have just known that they would get more money from the Champions League, and they would have needed a stronger player.

"Personal terms with Guido (Gineitis) were never agreed. Celtic said they wanted to reach an agreement with Torino first. It’s usually the other way around. I can say that the interest from the coaching staff and their sports people was genuine. We had a video call with the coaches, they were very positive about Guido. But ultimately, I think the main problem was that not everyone in the club’s management was as convinced about this transfer as the coaches.

“So, in the end, it all came down to Celtic’s final decision. When you’re making a transfer of this financial level, everyone on the buyer’s side has to agree. It’s usually four or five decision-makers, including the head coach. If one of them doesn’t want to do it for whatever reason, especially if it’s the person who’s in charge of the money, then it just doesn’t happen.”

Transfer falls through despite Gineitis’ Premier League dream

At 4-0 up in the tie against LASK, Celtic had one foot already in the Champions League but were pegged back. Gineitis has ambitions to play at the highest level not just in Europe but in the Premier League too. His agent reckons it’s an easier path from Scotland to the English top flight than it is from Italy, indicating that a Celtic move would’ve been mutually beneficial.

Vinokurov continued: "You can’t compare the Scottish league to Serie A, the Serie A is much stronger. But at the same time, Celtic is a huge club, massive. 60,000 spectators at every home game, top-level training facilities. So there are some advantages. Comparing Celtic and Torino, Celtic is a bigger club. Of course, if they played in the Champions League, there would be no question, but even the Europa League is a very interesting experience. That is their advantage. Also, because we have the goal of reaching the Premier League, taking that step from Celtic is sometimes easier than from Torino."

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