Celtic’s January transfer window business has largely been left.
Martin O’Neill returned for his second interim spell of the season on the fifth of January, with the Hoops six points behind league leaders Hearts.
With Julian Araujo brought in by the sacked Wilfried Nancy and Paul Tisdale, O’Neill was unable to add one of his own signings until the 22nd of January, when Tomas Cvancara was brought to Glasgow.
After that, there was no more movement until transfer deadline day, when a trio of loan signings were added. Celtic are now signing Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on a free transfer.
It has now been revealed how close the Hoops were to missing out on one of their Deadline Day signings.
Do you see Joel Mvuka as a starter or a backup option?
Celtic almost missed out on Joel Mvuka
A productive Deadline Day saw Celtic add striker Junior Adamu, defender Benjamin Arthur and winger Joel Mvuka.
Mvuka’s move was thrown into doubt by medical issues, but things could’ve worked out differently for the Norwegian.
READ MORE: Barry Bannan opens up on Celtic ‘regret’ and sad reason he left for England
According to Danish outlet Bold, Danish side Nordsjaelland were also in the hunt to sign Mvuka this winter.
They had reportedly ‘expected’ to sign the 23-year-old, who had made five league starts for Lorient in Ligue 1 this season.
However, after Mvuka’s dialogue with the Danish side, Celtic proved to be a more attractive option, finalising their agreement to sign him permanently on Deadline Day.
Concerns after his medical forced Celtic to renegotiate the deal with Lorient, leading him to eventually join on loan with an option to buy.
Blindsided by the transfer, Nordsjaelland were forced to move on to a new target, in the shape of Egyptian winger Ibrahim Adel of Al-Jazira FC.
The Danish side have done business with Celtic in the recent past, with Benjamin Nygren moving between the two clubs last summer.
Is this Celtic’s strongest starting XI now that the transfer window has closed?
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Joel Mvuka on his Celtic move
Speaking to Celtic TV after completing his dramatic loan move to Glasgow, Mvuka said: “It feels really good to finally be here.
“The thing that sits in my mind from playing at Celtic Park was before the game when the fans were singing You’ll Never Walk Alone, and I thought ‘Wow!’
“I was a team-mate of Sebastian Tounekti’s at Bodo/Glimt and I know him very well so I can’t wait to finally see him again.
“I’m a fast winger, I can play left or right, and I’m good with the ball, and I can’t wait to get started.”
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