Celtic's move for Torino midfielder Gvidas Gineitis has collapsed just hours before the Europa League squad deadline. The 23-year-old has been on the Scottish champions' radar since January when he was considered as a replacement for Arne Engels following a £25million bid from Nottingham Forest.
After Engels sealed a £22million move to West Ham earlier this summer, the Lithuania international emerged as the top midfield target for the Hoops. The Scottish transfer window officially closes at 5pm on Thursday, September 3, however, the Parkhead powerbrokers have been scrambling to get deals over the line to bolster their Euro squad before Wednesday's 11pm deadline.
Torino's Deadline Day Moves
Gineitis was handed a start for Torino's Coppa Italia clash with Monza just hours after snapping up two midfielders on deadline day in Italy - Rolando Mandragora and Daniel Braganca. Following the game, boss Ignazio Abate revealed he did not expect any changes following Tuesday's deadline for Serie A clubs.
Asked about the window, he said: "It's finally over... It's been a month with borderline situations, even this afternoon. The club stepped up a gear towards the end. Starting tomorrow [Wednesday], we know who we are and who will be next."
Final Bid Rejected
But reports in Italy on Wednesday suggest that Torino's resolve was tested with a final bid was put on the table by Celtic with UEFA's squad deadline fast approaching. Celts Are Here report that a deal has now "collapsed" and the player will remain in Turin.
They note that personal terms were not agreed for a player that Martin O'Neill "wanted" to bring in. It is claimed that chief executive Michael Nicholson "did not proceed in negotiations in a way that put Celtic in position to close the deal."
Other Celtic Signings
The Hoops have brought in Sam Johnstone, Landon Emenalo and Shumaira Mheuka on loan so far on Wednesday, with PSV midfielder Joël van den Berg expected to seal a permanent switch.
