Celtic to ‘scrap’ plan for Martin O’Neill’s first signing after cruel twist, alternative deal named
Celtic are considering the abandonment of their plans to sign Ivorian winger Jocelin Ta Bi from Maccabi Netanya.
Having made their move when Wilfried Nancy was in charge, Celtic had been in advanced talks to sign Ta Bi.
It can only be assumed that transfer targets have changed since the Frenchman was sacked, however, with Martin O’Neill offering a different style of football.
Celtic have been linked with a move for Kieron Bowie, although they are expected to face massive competition for the Hibernian forward.
Kyogo Furuhashi was linked with a return to Celtic, but that move appears to be less likely after the striker scored for Birmingham City on Saturday.
Celtic receive Jocelin Ta Bi blow
Ta Bi, 20, is a promising winger and is also attracting interest from Belgian side Genk, with a price tag worth around £2million mentioned.
Celtic appeared to have won the race, with the forward set to join the crop of exciting talents at Parkhead.
Ta Bi has scored twice and assisted twice in just 12 games this season in the Israeli top-flight Ligat Ha’AL, with many of his appearances coming from the right.
However, according to The Herald, plans to sign the Ivorian are under review after tests showed that he requires surgery for a medical issue.
Celtic now look likely to target other options as they attempt to provide instant reinforcement for O’Neill’s squad, but they could return in the summer for the prospect.
Uruguayan winger Ignacio Laquintana has been named as one possible alternative, with the RB Bragantino forward keen on the potential move.
Who is Ignacio Laquintana?
Laquintana scored four goals and provided three assists in last season’s Brazilian Serie A, which ended in December.
The 26-year-old exclusively played on the right for RB Bragantino and made his first two appearances for Marcelo Bielsa‘s Uruguay in October.
His debut also saw him score his first goal, a winner in a friendly against the Dominican Republic.
A strong crosser of the ball and a great finisher, Laquintana would certainly be an injection of quality into the Celtic front-line.
And the forward certainly looks more ready for the step up than Ta Bi, though decision-makers may target the Ivorian for a summer move aimed more at the longer term.