Celtic 'pushing hard' to complete transfer for 'top' Rangers target as Hoops launch £6m hijack attempt
Fares Ghedjemis has attracted Celtic and Rangers transfer interest this summer.
Celtic have reportedly had a £6m bid booted out for one of Rangers’ top targets on the flanks this summer.
Ibrox boss Derek McInnes has made no secret of the fact he wants more wingers in his squad after a lack of creativity was made apparent in their Premiership curtain raiser versus Dundee United. Fares Ghedjemis of Frosinone is one name near the top of their list and he was known to some fans after heavy links to Celtic in the winter window.
Martin O’Neill spoke publicly about the winger but a deal eventually was not agreed while subsequent attacking moves for the likes of Joel Mvuka floundered. Now Celtic are rebooting their interest, according to Sky Sports, and have jumped in with a bid to try and beat Rangers to the signing. Italian side Frosinone have bounced it back, however, with talks ongoing.
Who will sign Fares Ghedjemis this summer?
It’s stated by the broadcaster: “Frosinone have knocked back Celtic’s opening offer of around £6m for winger Fares Ghedjemis. It’s understood the Serie A club would like to keep the Algeria international, but the Scottish champions are pushing hard for a deal. Talks are ongoing between the clubs.
“Hoops boss Martin O’Neill said he was “very, very interested” in Gjdejemis on Friday. Rangers have also been weighing up a move for the 23-year-old. Celtic came close to signing him in January, but couldn’t agree the structure of a £6.5m deal with Frosinone, who were in Serie B at the time.”
Sky Italy’s Luca Bendoni said recently: “Rangers are pushing for Frosinone winger Fares Ghedjemis. Fares Ghedjemis is considered as one of Rangers' top targets for the winger position. Frosinone star is is also being considered by multiple other foreign clubs. Ghedjemis was a target for rivals Celtic last January. After further checkings - Fares Ghedjemis can still be considered a topic for Celtic also. The club has always held interest in him, although the situation is far from advanced as of now. Rangers are very keen and trying. One to watch.”
What have Celtic said ahead of game vs Dundee?
It’s the other side of Dundee for Celtic in their league opener as they host Steven Pressley’s Dark Blues. Boss O’Neill said ahead of the season beginning again at Celtic: “I’m just about looking forward to the season ahead. The same buzz, the same excitement, the same fears, the same everything. Dundee caused us all sorts of problems last year. Certainly in the time that I’ve been here, they’ve been really difficult games.
“The game up there towards the end of the season was difficult. We made a number of great chances and it was a game we had to win. And we were 30 seconds away from them knocking us out the Scottish Cup. They played brilliantly and of course we won that game in extra time. They were tough games and I expect the same again.”