Joel Mvuka's loan to Celtic hasn't been great for either the player or the club. Since his arrival in January, he has looked like an empty jersey when he has played, and now, a Norwegian journalist has revealed that the player almost didn't even end up in Glasgow.
Writer Freddy Toresen has revealed that Bodo/Glimt, who have surprised many in the UEFA Champions League this year, were close to bringing Mvuka to the club in January.
Toresen, speaking on the Studio Glimt Podcast, said:
"There were some really strong rumours, in certain hush-hush circles about a month ago, that Bodo/Glimt wanted to bring Joel Mvuka back from Lorient.
He ended up at Celtic. And almost before I could start digging into it, I confronted Håvard Sakariassen about this rumour I had heard in Spain.
The only answer I got was "calm, calm, calm." He didn’t confirm anything, but I think he said it because he probably had a gut feeling that Mvuka wouldn’t end up at Bodo/Glimt, but at Celtic.
It’s at least a matter that was there in January-February, but he had signed for Celtic before I finished researching."
Mvuka previously played for Bodo/Glimt before making the switch to Lorient. He moved to Celtic in the winter transfer window and was given his debut against Dundee in the Scottish Cup.
His first match in the hoops was disastrous, to say the least, and he was left out of the matchday squad until eventually making his return against Rangers at Ibrox. The cameo was uneventful again, and now, his time at the club may already be over.
The deal that never happened
Supporters are probably wishing right now that he had gone to Bodo/Glimt instead of Celtic! It would've turned out better for Mvuka and the Hoops, but no one could have known at the time.
Celtic almost snatched him up permanently, but due to a last-minute issue with his medical, the deal had to be switched over to a loan deal with the option to buy. It seems clear now that the clause to purchase the winger will not be triggered in the summer.
He joins the list of other Celtic flops this season alongside players like Michel-Ange Balikwisha. Both squad members have recently drawn criticism from Rangers man Kris Boyd, and although fans don't usually agree with him, it's difficult for them not to on this occasion.
A lot of squad building will be needed in the summer, and it will likely start with Mvuka being moved on, among others. Only time will tell though, but we've still got him on the books for at least a little while.