Journalist Scott Burns has reported that Italian sources believe Celtic can still strike a deal for Frosinone winger Fares Ghedjemis before Tuesday, keeping alive a transfer that appeared to be stalling only days ago. [RecordSport]
The timing matters. Celtic are deep into the final stretch of the January window, with the pressure rising after weeks of limited movement. Supporters have watched deals come and go, talks advance and then cool, and needs remain clear across the pitch. Against that backdrop, Burns’ report points to renewed momentum rather than another dead end.
According to those Italian reports, Frosinone are holding firm on a valuation of around £6 million. That figure has been the central issue throughout negotiations. Celtic are now faced with a choice. They can meet that price outright or find a compromise that allows both clubs to move forward without either feeling they have conceded too much. Talks are ongoing, and the belief from Italy is that a solution is still possible.
Frosinone’s position is understandable. They are top of Serie B and chasing promotion, with Ghedjemis playing a key role in their campaign. Selling one of their most productive wide players mid-season is not something they want to do lightly. Any exit weakens them in the short term, even if the financial return is strong.
From Celtic’s side, the context is different. The squad has looked stretched in recent weeks, especially when games open up late on. The win over Utrecht secured a place in the Europa League knockout play-offs, but it also exposed the thin margins Celtic are operating within. Legs tire. Structure can loosen. Options from the bench are limited. A winger who can stretch play and carry the ball over distance fits a clear need.
Ghedjemis has also made his own position clear. Reports indicate the Frenchman is open to a move to Scotland and sees Celtic as an attractive next step. The chance to play regular European football and compete for domestic trophies is a major pull. That appeal should not be underestimated, especially for a player who has spent most of his career in the lower divisions of France and Italy.
For Ghedjemis, this would be a step into a different environment. Celtic Park, weekly expectation, and games that demand output rather than development represent a shift. He would be moving from a promotion fight to a club that expects to dominate most domestic matches while also testing itself in Europe. That jump brings pressure, but it also brings opportunity.
The fact that Burns’ report follows earlier claims from other outlets that the deal was close adds another layer. Earlier in the week, it was widely suggested talks had stalled, with Celtic unwilling to meet Frosinone’s asking price. That pause fuelled frustration among supporters, many of whom felt the window was slipping away once again.
Now, the tone has changed slightly. Confidence from Italy suggests that while the gap remains, it is not unbridgeable. This is often the stage where deals either get done quickly or collapse altogether. The hard positions have been stated. The numbers are known. What remains is whether either side is willing to bend.
Celtic’s wider squad picture also plays into this. The club have been linked with other wide players, but those situations have moved in different directions. Jesurun Rak-Sakyi is set for Stoke City. Damir Redzic remains a separate conversation. As options narrow, the logic of pushing harder for one target becomes clearer.
There is also the calendar to consider. European knockout football adds extra strain. A tough run of domestic fixtures sits alongside travel and recovery demands. Adding a player now gives time for bedding in rather than throwing someone straight into high-pressure matches later on.
Financially, £6 million is not a small outlay, but it sits within the range Celtic have operated in before for players expected to contribute immediately. The question is less about whether Celtic can afford it and more about whether they believe the deal makes sense when set against other needs in the squad.
Burns’ report does not promise a conclusion, but it does suggest this is not drifting aimlessly. Talks are active. Both clubs know where they stand. The player is keen. That combination does not guarantee success, but it does explain why there is renewed belief from Italy.
With days left in the window, this is where decisions carry weight. If Celtic want to add pace and threat out wide, this may be the clearest path available. If they walk away, it will be a choice rather than a surprise.
For now, the message is simple. Despite earlier doubts, a deal for Ghedjemis is still alive. Whether it crosses the line before Tuesday will shape how this window is judged long after it closes.
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