Celtic bid for €13m star imminent as hijack eyed

11 Aug 2026 16:03 BST | 4 min read

Tom Weber | Writer

Multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer.

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Celtic are poised to make an improved bid for Torino midfielder Gvidas Gineitis shortly, according to Italian media.

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The Hoops' summer transfer window was slow to get going, but Martin O'Neill and company are really starting to ramp things up. With Camilo Duran and Kasper Hogh having arrived, Celtic are closing in on their third new recruit.

Reports earlier on Tuesday revealed that a breakthrough had been made in discussions with Real Oviedo over a deal for Egypt international Haissem Hassan, whom the Parkhead club have been chasing for several weeks.

Current ETV

Haissem Hassan

F, M (R)

Real Oviedo

Haissem Hassan

F, M (R)

Real Oviedo

ETV Range

€2.2M - €3.3M

However, the tricky winger isn't the only player still on O'Neill's shortlist. Celtic will also have to sign a midfielder amid ongoing interest in Arne Engels, with reports over the past week or two suggesting that he has an agreement on personal terms with West Ham.

A deal for Paderborn star Mika Baur looks to be dead in the water at this point, despite the young midfielder's strong desire to make the move to Glasgow. The promoted Bundesliga side, however, have so far refused to cooperate as they have already lost several key players.

Celtic return for Gineitis

Because of this state of affairs, Celtic will make another move for Torino midfielder Gvidas Gineitis imminently. According to Calcionews24, the Scottish champions are set to make an improved bid for the Lithuania international.

The Hoops had an opening €7.5m bid rejected "about three weeks ago," but they will now try again "in the next few hours." Torino are understood to value Gineitis at around €13m, meaning that it will require a significant outlay for Celtic to prise him away.

Despite the gap in valuation between the two clubs, Celtic have "no intention of abandoning" their pursuit of the towering 22-year-old, who made 29 appearances in Serie A last season.

It is believed that Celtic's new offer could clock in at around €10m. This likely won't be enough to get Torino to sell, but it would represent meaningful progress in discussions between the two sides.

The Italian club does not appear to insist on the €13m being paid upfront, so Celtic could perhaps strike a deal if they get creative with possible bonus payments tied to on-pitch performance.

There is one major problem, however: Celtic are far from the only club keen on Gineitis. On Monday, Sky Italia revealed that RB Salzburg were also "keenly pursuing" the Lithuanian midfielder.

Talks between Torino and Salzburg, now coached by ex-Rangers boss Danny Rohl, are in full swing. Celtic may therefore have to act fast if they wish to get a deal for Gineitis over the line.