Of all players linked to Celtic this January, Nacho Laquintana was one of the more left-field suggestions.
Largely a bench player at Brazilian relegation-battlers Red Bull Bragantino, Laquintana reportedly held talks with Celtic under Wilfried Nancy.
The rumours continued after the return of Martin O’Neill, but we now know that Celtic haven’t followed up on their interest in Laquintana.
This has left the Uruguayan back at square one in finding a new club this winter – and now, he reportedly has his eyes set on a new destination.
Not in Bragantino’s plans for next season, he is looking to return to Uruguay.
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Nacho Laquintana’s post-Celtic decision
However, reports in his homeland are conflicting on his destination.
Fernando Sinsolo says that he is working on a controversial move to Nacional – the arch-rivals of his previous Uruguayan club, Penarol.
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However, Pases Uruguay report that sources close to the player insist that he will only move to Penarol, the club he left to move to Brazil in 2023.
Regardless of which side of the reporting is true, it doesn’t reflect well on Celtic that having struggled in Brazil, Laquintana only seems capable of moving back to Uruguay.
The fact that the 26-year-old shares an agent with Marcelo Saracchi makes the rumour even more transparent.
We will never know if he was truly rated by the club’s scouts, or merely an agent recommendation. What we do know is that he isn’t coming to Celtic.
Fellow Uruguayan, Diego Rossi, was also linked with a winter move to the Hoops. He was one of Nancy’s key players at Columbus Crew.
Celtic are looking at some other targets in the wide areas, confirming that the position remains a priority for O’Neill.
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Celtic’s winger options in the January transfer window
Jocelin Ta Bi was expected to join Celtic, but after reports of an issue with his medical, Sunderland hijacked the move and signed him for £3.5 million.
This sent the Hoops back to the drawing board. Tawanda Maswanhise has been scouted, but won’t leave Motherwell this month.
Yaser Asprilla is on the verge of joining Galatasaray, having been linked with the Hoops this week. Damir Redzic is also in the mix.
As things stand, it looks like Jesurun Rak-Sakyi is the most likely option – but English Championship clubs are also in the hunt for the Crystal Palace winger.
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