Celtic interest in summer transfer target remains 'very high' as January swoop not out of the question
The Hoops failed to meet the valuation of the player during the summer
Celtic’s transfer interest in Gvidas Gineitis remains reportedly ‘very high’ despite a failed summer bid for the Torino midfielder.
The 22-year was on the Hoops’ radar throughout the summer window, however they couldn’t reach an agreement with the Italian side on his price. The highest offer for Gineitis from Celtic reached £5.1m, however Torino wanted closer to £6.8m, therefore a transfer deal didn’t come to fruition.
At one stage the Lithuanian midfielder was touted as the replacement for Belgian midfielder Arne Engels after he left Celtic for West Ham for £22m in August. Instead, the Hoops signed Mika Baur, Oliver Sorenson and Joel van den Berg to bolster their midfield options. Despite this, Italian media suggest Celtic’s interest in Gineitis is ongoing.
Celtic interest in Gineitis remains ‘very high’
TuttoSport aren’t ruling out another Celtic bid for Gineitis in January or the summer. They claim: “His consistency and physicality—which the Lithuanian has also shown with the national team, where he's a linchpin—attracted the attention of Celtic this summer.
“So much so that there was long talk of the midfielder's possible departure. That didn't happen, but that doesn't mean the Scots aren't still following him. On the contrary, interest is very high, so much so that during the long international break, the player himself spoke about it again, without closing the door on anyone, either for January or next summer.”
During the international break, when asked about the summer transfer interest from Celtic, Gineitis responded: “It would be an interesting and positive experience (to play for Celtic); it would be stimulating to test myself at that level, at a club like that. But now I'm where I am. If Torino wanted to sell me and another club wanted to buy me, the question would be how much they would offer me to play there. Everything would depend on my final decision."
How has Gineitis fared this season so far?
The 6’ 3” midfielder was a regular for Torino in the Serie A this season, however the minutes have dried up in the current campaign under manager Ignazio Abate. Prior to the international break, Gineitis was an unused substitute against Bologna - and hasn’t started in any of their four subsequent outings.
However, the player has vowed to keep fighting for his place amid his lack of minutes. Gineitis said: "Personally, these haven't been the best months of my life, but I've always trained with a lot of energy and a desire to play. Then the coach decides who plays. I'm happy whether I play, whether as a starter or a substitute. I did what I could.”