Atalanta have reportedly rejected a fresh offer from Celtic for right-back Timothy Castagne.
According to Calciomercato, a popular Italian football outlet, the Serie A side booted out a new offer from Parkhead. The price of the proposed deal hasn’t been revealed, but it was apparently too low.
Interestingly, however, the report also states that another key reason was finding a replacement. Atalanta felt that it was apparently too risky to let him go considering they would need someone else in for cover. Considering the transfer window closes tomorrow night, that would be tricky.
But you have to wonder why Celtic have left a bid for Castagne so late. It could’ve been more profitable for Celtic if they made a bid at the start of the window.
Since then, Castagne has racked up three more appearances to take his consecutive run to five. He even managed to net against Roma in their last match – a 3-3 home draw.
Therefore, Castagne’s stock has likely grown and his importance to Atalanta increased once more. Nobody will know for sure, but they may have been inclined to be more open to formal bids had Celtic taken an earlier shot.
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Castagne’s preference was England or Germany
Of course, the Hoops would’ve still had to battle the idea that Castagne didn’t prefer a move to Scotland. He was reported as stating he would’ve liked a move to England or Germany if he was to leave Serie A.
But the Hoops haven’t been able to get themselves into a position to speak to him. Instead, it looks as though an offer may have been made too late.
The report from Calciomercato also states that the club now aren’t willing to listen to anything until the summer.
That could perhaps open the door to Celtic once again, given that they could be set for just a short loan deal for Borussia Dortmund’s Jeremy Toljan. That deal reportedly has no option to buy, so Celtic will be looking once more in the summer if that’s the case.
Regardless, it’s onwards and upwards for the Hoops. A new right-back will hopefully be in the door soon, and the club can continue looking to progress their treble-treble bid.
Here’s hoping, however, that this is something Celtic could potentially revisit in the summer.