Celtic could have to smash through the £10million barrier for the first time in a winter window to bring in Gvidas Gineitis from Torino, after the Serie A side rejected two bids for the midfielder.
The 23-year-old has been a long-term target for the Scottish champions, having first been considered in January as a replacement for Arne Engels following a £25million bid from Nottingham Forest. After Engels sealed a £22million move to West Ham last summer, the Lithuania international emerged as the top midfield target for the Hoops, with interest ramping up in the final days of the window.
Bids Rejected and Valuation Gap
The Scottish champions had pushed to bring the playmaker in before the window closed, but were told by the Serie A side that the potential £9m bid would not be enough to tempt them to cash in.
Record Sport understands a deal could be revived in the January transfer window, but Celtic will have to smash through the £10million barrier to tempt Torino to sell, according to Tuttomercatoweb. That would be a record purchase in a January window, dwarfing the £8million forked out to bring Jota back to the club in January 2025 from Stade Rennes.
The fee could come close to the record-setting £11million paid out for Kasper Hogh last summer, if the trigger is pulled on a switch. The Italian side are said to be ready to dig their heels in after the £9million valuation was not met last summer.
Agent and Player Reaction
It is claimed that the player and his agent have been "stung" by the failed move, with the playmaker's entourage said to be "questioning if Celtic were serious about the move", despite boss Martin O'Neill being keen on the player.
It is now claimed the player's representatives have opened talks over a contract extension, with boss Ignazio Abate viewing him as a key part of his future plans.
Gineitis Opens Door to Move
Speaking earlier this season, Gineitis left the door open to a switch to Glasgow's East End. When asked about bids from Celtic, he responded: "It would be an interesting and good experience, it's interesting to test myself at such a level, at such a club. But now I'm where I am."
"If the club [Torino] wanted to sell and another club wanted to buy, the question would be how much they would give me to play there. Of course, I would consider if it would help me and I wanted to leave.... Everything would ultimately still depend on my decision."
