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Celtic Pursue Fares Ghedjemis Amid Transfer Window Competition
Celtic's latest move to the transfer market has the Scottish champions zeroing in on the 23‑year‑old Algerian winger Farès Ghedjemis of Serie B side Frosinone. Sources say the club is prepared to meet the 9.5 million‑euro asking price, setting the stage for a two‑club race that also involves Rangers.
According to the Glasgow Times, Frosinone are not under pressure to sell but are listening to offers. President Maurizio Stirpe explained that while the club is not compelled to part with Ghedjemis, it remains open to potential bids. The valuation places the player in the eight‑figure bracket, a figure that both Celtic and Rangers would need to agree on.
Rangers have signalled a willingness to match or even exceed Celtic’s bid, as reported by the Daily Record and echoed in The Scotsman. The club’s willingness to meet the same financial expectations underscores the intensity of the competition for the winger.
While the Ghedjemis negotiations are underway, Celtic has already bolstered its backline. On 2 February, the club announced the loan of 20‑year‑old centre‑back Benjamin Arthur from Premier League side Brentford. The deal, which is subject to international clearance and contains no option to buy, is part of a broader strategy to deepen the Celtic defence ahead of the remainder of the season.
Celtic’s transfer activity extends beyond the winger and defender. Dane Murray, 23, is on Dundee United’s radar, but the club has stated it has no interest in loaning the player, according to the Courier. Meanwhile, former Celtic loanee Marcelo Saracchi, who spent the 2024‑25 season on loan from Boca Juniors, has reportedly joined Houston Dynamo, as reported by National.
Other Scottish clubs are also active in the market. Free‑agent left‑back Enes Alic, 26, has agreed to join St Johnstone, according to the Courier. In the Champions League, Scotland defender Scott McKenna, linked with Rangers, scored Dinamo Zagreb’s second goal in a 5‑0 win over Kauno Zalgiris in the first leg of the third‑qualifying round.
Rangers are pursuing additional talent ahead of their Europa League third‑qualifying round first‑leg match against Jagiellonia Bialystok. The club is attempting to sign Hannover winger Daisuke Yokota, 26, with personal terms, a work permit and a visa still pending, according to the Record. Their new defender Olwethu Makhanya, 22, is available after resolving visa issues.
Hearts’ head coach Wouter Vrancken is preparing for a Europa League first‑leg match against Benfica, while winger Sabah Kerjota has expressed confidence that he will play a significant role in the tie, as reported by the Edinburgh Evening News. Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has indicated that left‑back Will Ferry, 25, will remain with the club until a suitable valuation is met, according to the Courier. Aberdeen’s manager Stephen Robinson suggested that goalkeeper Marius Muller could become a cult hero for the club, a view shared by the Record.
The transfer window remains highly active across the Scottish Premiership, with clubs balancing squad depth, player development and financial constraints. Celtic’s pursuit of Ghedjemis, the loan of Arthur, and the broader transfer chatter illustrate the competitive nature of the market as teams prepare for domestic and European commitments.
At present, Celtic’s negotiations for Ghedjemis are ongoing, with no definitive agreement reached. The club’s next major match is the Europa League third‑qualifying round first leg against a European opponent, while Rangers are set to face Jagiellonia Bialystok in a similar tie. The outcomes of these negotiations and matches will influence squad readiness for the remainder of the season and the clubs’ prospects in domestic and continental competitions.
According to the Glasgow Times, Frosinone are not under pressure to sell but are listening to offers. President Maurizio Stirpe explained that while the club is not compelled to part with Ghedjemis, it remains open to potential bids. The valuation places the player in the eight‑figure bracket, a figure that both Celtic and Rangers would need to agree on.
Rangers have signalled a willingness to match or even exceed Celtic’s bid, as reported by the Daily Record and echoed in The Scotsman. The club’s willingness to meet the same financial expectations underscores the intensity of the competition for the winger.
While the Ghedjemis negotiations are underway, Celtic has already bolstered its backline. On 2 February, the club announced the loan of 20‑year‑old centre‑back Benjamin Arthur from Premier League side Brentford. The deal, which is subject to international clearance and contains no option to buy, is part of a broader strategy to deepen the Celtic defence ahead of the remainder of the season.
Celtic’s transfer activity extends beyond the winger and defender. Dane Murray, 23, is on Dundee United’s radar, but the club has stated it has no interest in loaning the player, according to the Courier. Meanwhile, former Celtic loanee Marcelo Saracchi, who spent the 2024‑25 season on loan from Boca Juniors, has reportedly joined Houston Dynamo, as reported by National.
Other Scottish clubs are also active in the market. Free‑agent left‑back Enes Alic, 26, has agreed to join St Johnstone, according to the Courier. In the Champions League, Scotland defender Scott McKenna, linked with Rangers, scored Dinamo Zagreb’s second goal in a 5‑0 win over Kauno Zalgiris in the first leg of the third‑qualifying round.
Rangers are pursuing additional talent ahead of their Europa League third‑qualifying round first‑leg match against Jagiellonia Bialystok. The club is attempting to sign Hannover winger Daisuke Yokota, 26, with personal terms, a work permit and a visa still pending, according to the Record. Their new defender Olwethu Makhanya, 22, is available after resolving visa issues.
Hearts’ head coach Wouter Vrancken is preparing for a Europa League first‑leg match against Benfica, while winger Sabah Kerjota has expressed confidence that he will play a significant role in the tie, as reported by the Edinburgh Evening News. Dundee United manager Jim Goodwin has indicated that left‑back Will Ferry, 25, will remain with the club until a suitable valuation is met, according to the Courier. Aberdeen’s manager Stephen Robinson suggested that goalkeeper Marius Muller could become a cult hero for the club, a view shared by the Record.
The transfer window remains highly active across the Scottish Premiership, with clubs balancing squad depth, player development and financial constraints. Celtic’s pursuit of Ghedjemis, the loan of Arthur, and the broader transfer chatter illustrate the competitive nature of the market as teams prepare for domestic and European commitments.
At present, Celtic’s negotiations for Ghedjemis are ongoing, with no definitive agreement reached. The club’s next major match is the Europa League third‑qualifying round first leg against a European opponent, while Rangers are set to face Jagiellonia Bialystok in a similar tie. The outcomes of these negotiations and matches will influence squad readiness for the remainder of the season and the clubs’ prospects in domestic and continental competitions.
