Less than a fortnight into January, Celtic already have their first transfer saga of the month.
Jocelin Ta Bi looked set to be first signing of Martin O’Neill’s latest interim spell, with his name being mentioned in reports since before Christmas.
But after an apparent hold-up in the deal, Ta Bi was revealed to have flagged fitness issues in his medical, causing Celtic to rethink the transfer.
That seemed to be that – but in another twist, Ta Bi now appears to be pushing for a move elsewhere, potentially even in the Premier League.
And he isn’t the only Celtic-linked name who is flirting with a club down south.
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After Jocelin Ta Bi, Celtic target Stefan Ortega is ‘offered’ to Premier League club
Much of the window’s focus has been on the Hoops’ attacking options, particularly strikers and right-sided forwards.
But at the other end of the pitch, the club are having a lookout too.
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Celtic have been linked with Stefan Ortega for a number of months now, with the German goalkeeper out of favour at Manchester City.
With Kasper Schmeichel’s future uncertain (some want him replaced now), 33-year-old Ortega would make sense as an experienced replacement with pedigree.
However, West Ham are on the lookout for a goalkeeper this month. With their current crop badly out of form, they reportedly made an approach for City number two James Trafford.
And according to ExWHUEmployee, City rejected this offer, offering them Ortega instead. It’s unclear whether the Hammers will pursue the German.
Ortega has made over 50 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side since moving there in 2022. He had previously played 172 times for Arminia Bielefeld in Germany, mostly in the second tier.
He was rewarded for his City form with a call-up for the German national team in 2024.
Would you sign a goalkeeper for Celtic in January?
Martin O’Neill on Celtic goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel
Replacing Schmeichel doesn’t seem to be at the top of O’Neill’s priorities, however – last week, he gave the Dane his full backing.
He said: “Kasper’s got a lot of experience, I think a really, really terrific goalkeeper.
“Like everything else, you have to keep proving yourself. And this is it, I now, back again, have to do the same thing. And it’s not a throwaway line, it’s absolutely true.
“And this idea that people don’t have to, I don’t see it. So, if I can get, let’s say in terms of just getting Kasper back to what he did for me, and that’s very, very short term, that would be fine.
“He made some big saves for us, big moments, you know. We had a big save against Rangers in the semi-final, he made a big save at one each-out in Feyenoord. Big save when the boy’s through, makes the save again. Those are the things he’s good at.
“I think just getting players back to – that sounds as if it’s been a major change – but really just what he did during my time.”
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