Celtic appear to be on the brink of a late January breakthrough, with reports in France claiming a deal has been agreed to sign Lorient wide man Joel Mvuka.

With the transfer deadline falling on Monday, Celtic’s long-running search for a right winger has taken on urgency. Mvuka, 23, has now emerged as the leading candidate, with French outlets suggesting the Hoops have struck an agreement to bring the Norwegian to Glasgow.

 

Mvuka is primarily a right winger but is also comfortable operating as a wing-back, a versatility that may appeal to Celtic manager Martin O’Neill as he looks to add functional depth to a squad stretched by injuries and inconsistency in wide areas.

The Norwegian joined FC Lorient three years ago for a reported £4 million. While his spell in France has been uneven, he was part of the Lorient side that lifted the Ligue 2 title last season, adding another league medal to an already varied career.

Before moving to France, Mvuka made his name with Bodø/Glimt, where he won domestic honours and gained European experience. A loan spell in Switzerland with Young Boys further broadened his exposure, giving him title-winning experience across three different countries by the age of 23.

At international level, Mvuka has been capped 16 times by Norway’s Under-21 side, and hopes to make the World Cup.

The financial aspect of the move is likely to draw attention. Reports suggest Celtic could land Mvuka for around £2-3 million, a significantly lower figure than the £5–6 million being discussed for other right-wing targets in recent days. Damir Redzic and Fares Ghedjemis had both been linked as serious options, but this move would signal a clear shift towards a more conservative outlay.

Celtic’s January business so far has consisted solely of loan deals, and frustration among supporters has been growing as the title race looks like getting away from Celtic. Bringing in Mvuka at a reduced fee may suit the board’s approach, but it will inevitably be judged on impact rather than balance-sheet logic.

If the deal is completed, O’Neill will at least have another natural option on the right flank.