Confirmed: Celtic want ex-Chelsea star as next signing

9 Oct 2026 16:05 BST 3 min read

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

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Celtic could reportedly complete the signing of former Chelsea midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko on a free transfer after holding talks with the Frenchman earlier this year.

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Bakayoko was on Celtic’s transfer radar in February and while the Scottish giants eventually opted to sign Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain instead, they are now once again eager to complete a possible deal.

Sky Sports report that Bakayoko has been training with Martin O’Neill’s side for the past few weeks and the Celtic hierarchy have reportedly been “running the rule” over a potential transfer during the international break.

The ex-Chelsea star has been without a club since leaving PAOK as a free agent in July 2025, but Celtic are exploring the possibility of bringing him to Glasgow as they look to bolster their midfield options following the summer sale of Arne Engels to West Ham United.

Bakayoko, who has one senior cap for France, established himself as one of Europe's best young midfielders during his time at AS Monaco, but his career has nosedived since a hugely underwhelming stint at Chelsea.

The Frenchman made a total of 43 appearances for the Blues, scoring three goals, but he is best remembered for a red card he received during a humiliating 4-1 away loss to Watford in February 2018. He was subsequently sent on loan to AC Milan, back to Monaco and to Napoli, before joining FC Lorient on a free transfer.

After one season back in France, he moved to PAOK on another Bosman deal, but he lasted less than 12 months with the Greek outfit and he has now been a free agent for over a year.

© IMAGO - Tiemoue Bakayoko joined Chelsea for €40m

Martin O’Neill to stay at Celtic

News of Celtic’s interest in Bakayoko comes after O’Neill confirmed that he will remain at the club following rumours that he could resign after three consecutive losses.

“I am,” O'Neill told the CelticPlayer when asked if he was ready for the rest of the season. “I am extremely prepared now for it. Yes, we had a difficult week - that can happen.

“You can lose to your arch-rivals, you can lose a European game - it's certainly not the end of the world, or what it seemed to be described as. But now we are ready to go. Yes, I did think I would take a little bit of time, and it didn't take me that much time to think about it.

“I want to lead the club. I want to try and win the league, which is what I set out to do, and I am just as determined now as ever before. It was a time of reflection for a moment or two, some things you think about, but I am back and raring to go, and the team is ready.

“What you try and do is analyse the things you have done, or that you haven't done. Throughout my managerial time, I have done exactly that. Maybe a bit different as a player, because I used to blame every other player for my performance, but as a manager you have got to.

“If you feel like something has dropped away, you have got to analyse it. Now, there wasn't a great deal in some of the games - if we get the equaliser in the Rangers game just after half-time, it's a totally different ball game, but it wasn't to be.

“You have to reflect on a few things like that. I did all that, did a bit of self-analysing, and just prepared for the battle.”