The summer transfer window is always an unpredictable period of time. Sometimes things look set in stone, only for plans to change at the very last minute. It looks like that might turn out to be the case with one Celtic player, who was expected to return to Parkhead, but now, it appears that that is no longer a certainty.
The player we are talking about is none other than Marco Tilio. After spending a season-and-a-half on loan at Melbourne City FC, it looked like the Australian was set to return to Celtic as a better and more polished winger.
In 19 appearances this season for Melbourne City FC, he scored 5 goals and provided a further 5 assists, finding a great run of form towards the end of the campaign. With Jota out injured and uncertainty around the future of Nicolas Kuhn, many believed that Tilio could have been a good addition to the squad for the upcoming campaign.
Unfortunately, it looks like that won't be happening. In fact, talks are open for Tilio to go back to Melbourne City FC for another year. As reported by The Scottish Sun, the Australian club's director of football Michael Petrillo told the Football Fever podcast:
"We are still negotiating whether he stays another year or goes to Europe. We hope he stays."
Massive twist as Celtic return might no longer happen
If Tilio does not end up returning to Celtic this summer then it is hard to imagine that he has any sort of future at the club. The conditions are perfect for him to have a chance to make his mark at the start of next season.
Then again, perhaps Brendan Rodgers does not believe that he is the right fit for Celtic. It is not always about only the player and what he wants.
Just because he has starred on loan in Australia does not mean that that will translate to Scottish football. So, let's just wait and see how things play out in this saga.