Foot Mercato journalist Sébastien Denis has reported a dramatic late shift in Celtic’s pursuit of Jocelin Ta Bi, suggesting the winger is now unlikely to move to Glasgow.
Celtic’s interest in Ta Bi has unfolded quietly before becoming increasingly complex. The player had been viewed as one of several wide options being explored during the January window. Developments around the deal have moved quickly and often without clarity.
This latest report reframes the situation once again. Rather than a medical issue or a stalled negotiation, the suggestion is now one of competition from elsewhere. The presence of a Premier League club changes the picture entirely.
For Celtic, the timing matters. Recruitment discussions are happening against a backdrop of pressure to strengthen. Any late movement elsewhere can leave clubs reacting rather than shaping outcomes.
🚨énorme rebondissement pour Jocelin Ta Bi. Alors que tout était réglé avec le #CelticFC, le crack 🇨🇮 ne devrait pas s’engager avec le club 🏴
⚠️l’ailier de l’Hapoel Petah Tikva devrait s’engager en 🏴 puisqu’un club de Premier League est sur le point de rafler la mise https://t.co/nv7973Fz7k
— Sébastien Denis (@sebnonda) January 12, 2026
Denis said: “🚨 Huge twist for Jocelin Ta Bi. Just when everything was settled with #CelticFC, the 🇨🇮 starlet isn’t expected to commit to the club 🏴
“⚠️ The winger from Hapoel Petah Tikva is set to commit in 🏴 as a Premier League club is about to swoop in and snag the deal.”
If the report proves accurate, it brings an end to Celtic’s involvement from a different direction than first expected. Competition from England often alters the balance of such deals. Financial strength and league profile can quickly change a player’s thinking.
The reference to a Premier League move adds weight to the idea that Celtic were not rejected outright. Instead, the situation appears to have evolved late in the process. That distinction matters when assessing how the club’s approach is perceived.
Celtic have found themselves in similar positions before. Targets can drift away once larger leagues enter the frame. January windows tend to magnify that risk.
From the outside, the Ta Bi situation now looks less like a breakdown and more like a bypass. The deal moving elsewhere does not reflect a lack of intent from Celtic. It reflects the realities of a crowded market.
The club’s wider strategy remains under scrutiny regardless. Supporters continue to look for signs of progress and direction. Each near-miss adds to the sense of urgency around delivery rather than intent.
For now, the story appears to be moving away from Glasgow. Whether Celtic pivot quickly to alternatives will become clear soon enough. January rarely allows much time for pause.
What remains consistent is how fast transfer narratives can change. One report can close a door that appeared open only hours earlier. In this case, attention now shifts to where Ta Bi ends up rather than how close Celtic came.
Keep Reading
