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Celtic open talks with two alternatives after scrapping controversial signing
Tom Weber
- Updated: 12 Jan 2026 15:45 GMT
- 4 min read
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Celtic have opened talks with Red Bull Bragantino winger Ignacio Laquintana and Lorient striker Mohamed Bamba after stalling over the signing of Maccabi Netanya youngster Jocelin Ta Bi.
The Hoops looked set to sign the Ivorian winger after striking an agreement with the Israeli club last week. Ta Bi went so far as to publicly confirm his move and describe it as a "dream come true." However, this proposed transfer sparked controversy.
The Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions movement for Palestinian rights called on Celtic to abandon the deal as "Israeli clubs are not neutral sporting bodies." The statement added that "Netanya is owned by Aliya Capital Partners, which has invested $30 million in Israeli drone company XTEND."
Bizarrely, the signing of Ta Bi is now in doubt, but not because of ethical concerns from Celtic's recruitment chiefs. Instead, Ta Bi's medical examination showed that the 20-year-old is currently injured and requires surgery.
As a result, Celtic are now exploring alternatives, Sky Sports reports. A potential like-for-like contingency would be Red Bull Bragantino winger Ignacio Laquintana.
Celtic explore Laquintana and Bamba deals
The 26-year-old has been with the Brazilian club since leaving Santos following the 2024 season. He notched four goals and six assists in 34 appearances across all competitions in 2025 and made his senior Uruguay debut in October. Talks with Bragantino have started.
Meanwhile, Ouest-France reports that the Parkhead giants are also in discussions with Lorient over a potential deal for striker Mohamed Bamba, who is struggling for form this term.
A former Golden Boot winner in Israel's second tier, the 24-year-old has only managed to score once in Ligue 1 this season. In 2024/25, he managed three goals and seven assists in 18 appearances in a campaign disrupted by an ankle injury.
Bamba was omitted for disciplinary reasons from Lorient's Coupe de France win over Hauts Lyonnais at the weekend due to a "repeated series of lapses." Celtic, it is claimed, have made a loan offer with a purchase option for the Ivorian.
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