Celtic have failed in their late pursuit of Torino midfielder Gvidas Gineitis. The Lithuanian international has been a target for the Bhoys for much of the summer, quickly identified as a potential replacement for £22million signing Arne Engels, who still hasn't truly been replaced despite a flurry of late signings.
Celtic only realistically have until 11pm on Wednesday night to wrap up their signings, given signings made after that, and up to the 5pm Scottish deadline on Thursday, cannot play in the Europa League league phase.
And ahead of that deadline, the Bhoys have seen a proposed deal for Gineitis collapse. The clubs had held positive talks over the last 48 hours, but they were not able to get the deal over the line.
Torino boss Ignazio Abate has confirmed: "It's finally over... It's been a month with borderline situations, even this afternoon.
"The club stepped up a gear towards the end. Starting tomorrow [Wednesday], we know who we are and who will be next."
Gineitis started for Torino as recently as Tuesday night, when they lost to Monza in the Coppa Italia, but he was still expected to join Celtic after that. In the end, a move has not played out, and the Bhoys have been left short of a high-level midfielder beyond Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Callum McGregor, who are both very senior players.
There is talk of Celtic scrambling to try to get an alternative deal over the line, but with the deadline closing in, and with the Bhoys having been in action on Wednesday night, comfortably beating Aberdeen, they may be too short of time.
Reports suggest Torino were willing to sell Gineitis for around €8.5million, and we do not know the reason for the collapsed deal, with many terms involved in striking these deals, but the result looks to be Celtic missing out.
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