Celtic were in the market for plenty of wingers over the January transfer window.
In the end, that hunt ended with the loan signing of Joel Mvuka from Lorient, as Martin O’Neill was made to wait until the very end of Deadline Day.
Mvuka had initially been a straight permanent deal worth £3 million, but after issues with his medical, the deal was renegotiated into a loan with an option to buy.
The Norwegian was not the only winger targeted by the Hoops. In the days prior, Celtic had tried (and failed) to agree permanent deals for Fares Ghedjemis and Damir Redzic.
Another one widely linked was Crystal Palace’s Jesurun Rak-Sakyi.
Celtic target Jesurun Rak-Sakyi makes transfer deadline day decision.
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Jesurun Rak-Sakyi on ex-Celtic man convincing him of Stoke move
Celtic had made an offer for Rak-Sakyi in the summer, before he eventually moved to Turkey. Recalled in January, they were back in the market for him again.
Rak-Sakyi reportedly received a ‘proposal’ from Celtic in the final week of the window.
However, with the help of former Celtic man Bosun Lawal, he was convinced to join Stoke City on loan until the end of the season.
Speaking about being convinced, Rak-Sakyi even referred to Lawal as ”Agent Bos’.
Rak-Sakyi said: “I met [Lawal] through a friend of a friend in football and we’ve been friends ever since.
“He’s a good player. I’m very excited to be here and I can’t wait to get started.
“I want to give my best for this club and try to win the title, also the cup, and to score a lot of goals and help the team, and I also want to improve as a player.
“I’ve spoken with the manager and he’s given me good motivation, and I trust him, he’s given me that trust, he’s told me how the system is and I feel the connection is really strong.
“I’m dangerous in the box and hungry for goals. That’s what the manager sees in me and I want to show that on the pitch.
“I can’t wait to be in the stadium, I’ve seen a lot of videos and it looks amazing, and I can’t wait to get started.”
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Celtic’s links with Jesurun Rak-Sakyi
Darren O’Dea urged Celtic to sign Rak-Sakyi after it emerged that the interest had been reinstated, after widely being reported the summer.
Brendan Rodgers reportedly liked the player, who was close to an £8 million loan-to-buy move to Russell Martin’s Rangers.
Rak-Sakyi eventually moved to Rizespor in Turkey, and his form there generated attention from Monaco, Lille and Millwall.
Despite Crystal Palace’s preference to sell him on loan with an obligation to buy, he has moved to the bet365 stadium on a straight loan deal.
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