Celtic are expecting to wrap up a deal for long-time summer target Gvidas Gineitis. The Bhoys have left it late to replace Arne Engels, who left for West Ham on a £22million deal - a deal that was always expected to happen.
The Hoops realistically have until 11pm tonight, on Wednesday, to get their business done, needing to get their squad locked in for UEFA competitions, with signings made after that not eligible to play in Europe until the knockout phase.
Gineitis has been linked with Celtic throughout the window, but Torino have not made a sale easy, also selling other talent this summer, and therefore not feeling the pressure to sell.
But while Gineitis was in action for Torino as recently as last night, a deal is expected to go down. Stephen McGowan has reported that a deal is expected to go ahead amid progressing talks, with a fee of around £9million reportedly being discussed.
Gineitis played a full 90 minutes for Torino on Tuesday night as they lost at home to Monza in the Coppa Italia. That could well have been his last game for the Italian club, and it's likely he will follow other big Celtic signings in flying to London for a medical before heading up to Glasgow. Celtic
Celtic are in action on Wednesday night, when they face Aberdeen, so club chiefs will have to be busy behind the scenes to get deals done ahead of 11pm, when the club's European squad will be set until February.
The Bhoys are expecting to confirm several signings today, but they do have until 5pm on Thursday to wrap up all of their business, in accordance with the Scottish transfer deadline.
Gineitis seems to have some mixed reviews at Torino, but it's also important to understand that Serie A is one of the best leagues in the world, and with no disrespect to the Scottish Premiership, he will be playing at a lower level. Although the Europa League is a high standard. The midfielder is also only 22 years of age, so he has plenty of development ahead of him.
Ultimately, Celtic need a high-level player to replace Engels in the midfield, and they look as though they will finally get one. Understandably, there will be questions over why the Bhoys did not do this deal before the Champions League qualifiers, which could have gone another way with a properly stacked midfield.
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