Celtic could come up against a huge asking price in their bid to land a winger. The Bhoys are still locked in a hugely frustrating summer transfer window, and at this point, it doesn't bear repeating how poor the recruitment has been.
The bottom line is that the Hoops still need to make a number of signings, with clear gaps throughout their squad and with more exits still to come. An area Martin O'Neill is desperate to improve is out wide, with the veteran's style of play heavily reliant upon wingers who can pick up the ball and drive forward.
New striker Camilo Duran started out wide for the league opener against Dundee, and he did a job, but O'Neill is going to want out-and-out wingers.
Celtic handed huge asking price for winger target
O'Neill has already confirmed that he and the club are interested in long-term target Farès Ghedjemis this summer. But striking a deal will not be easy, and not only because rivals Rangers are also pushing for a deal, reportedly submitting a new offer this week.
According to The Sun, Ghedjemis' current club Frosinone are going to demand a huge fee to sell the winger, slapping a £12million asking price on his head.
That is more than double the fee that Celtic agreed back in January, but the player ultimately decided to stay until the end of the season. The winger is now said to be willing to make a move, but his club are asking for much bigger money.
The 23-year-old had a superb season of last, scoring 15 times in Serie B, so it's only natural his price has risen, while the presence of interest from more than one club will allow Frosinone the leverage to be able to ask for bigger money.
Now it's over to Celtic to see how close they want to go to that asking price, and keep in mind that Real Oviedo's Haissen Hassan looks to be available for a maximum of £10million, likely closer to the £8million mark.
O'Neill on Ghedjemis links
Speaking last week, O'Neill confirmed Celtic's interest in Ghedjemis. He said: “We have a very, very strong interest in him. I don’t know how close we can get, but we are genuinely making really good progress.”
It was O'Neill who tried to sign the winger back in January, but as mentioned, that deal ultimately fell through because the player wanted to stay and see out the season.
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