Reason for failed Rangers and Celtic summer transfer target revealed as 'inadequate' Old Firm claim made

Algerian winger Fares Ghedjemis didn’t sign for Rangers or Celtic in the transfer window due to ‘inadequate’ offers, according to Frosinone President Maurizio Stirpe.

The 24-year old had been linked with both sides of the Old Firm during the window, as well as Turkish side Besiktas and Ligue 1 giants Monaco - but in spite of constant speculation which culminated in the player refusing to play, he eventually stayed at Frosinone.

Stirpe admitted if it was up to him, the winger would’ve been sold, but new American investors Clara Vista Investment Partners - who also own Premier League side Ipswich Town - blocked an outgoing deal. Ghedjemis played an instrumental role in helping the Italian side gain promotion to the Serie A last season and played his first minutes of the season at the weekend in their 3-2 victory over Venezia.

‘Inadequate’ Rangers and Celtic offers kiboshed potential Ghedjemis move

Last month, Frosinone slapped a large £18m price tag on Ghedjemis’ head knowing there was vast interest in the right winger across Europe. According to Stirpe, both Glasgow sides valued the player considerably less than this. He told TuttoFrosinone: "I spoke with the Monaco executives, who didn't do what they told us; the official offers were never as stated, which were in any case insufficient, and I didn't even show them to our partners.

"Other clubs, like Rangers, Celtic, and Besiktas, haven't been as honest, and when they approached us, they made inadequate offers. If we didn't sell Ghedjemis in January for €6 million (£5.1m), why would we do it in Serie A for €9 million (£7.7m)? Who owns his contract? They should come to us and ask if he's available, instead of feeding the boy ideas that will make him no longer listen to the offers of that club, which, let's remember, is the architect of his success. Recognition is deserved, because affection and love must always be mutual."

Frosinone President ‘would have sold’ Ghedjemis

The twice capped Algerian international came on to a warm reception from the Frosinone support at the weekend as they now try to put the summer’s debacle behind them. However Stirpe admitted after Ghedjemis ‘refused to play’ in some early season fixtures, he would have let him go. He continued: “If it were up to me, I would have sold him.

"We wouldn't have had the opportunity to keep a player like that. Ghedjemis stayed at Frosinone because, stubbornly, Clara Vista wanted him to stay. We owe them all that he stayed. The welcome we saw from the fans at the stadium is pleasing, but the relationship needs to be rebuilt properly and on a more solid foundation. We can't afford what happened in recent weeks; I wasn't happy that someone refused to play.”

(The Scottish Football Social Club is presented by BetSBK.com | 18+ | Gamble Responsibly)