Tawanda Maswanhise leaving Motherwell had seemingly been a non-starter this month.
Celtic’s links with the forward intensified after Martin O’Neill and Mark Fotheringham were seen watching Motherwell face Dundee, in what was widely interpreted as a scouting mission.
Despite this, Maswanhise’s camp claimed ‘no contact’ from Celtic, with the Hoops eventually getting their attacking reinforcements from elsewhere.
However, on Deadline Day, the Steelmen had their resolve tested for the Uganda international again.
In the end, he will remain at Fir Park – but the details of today’s ‘talks’ over an exit has now been revealed.
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Celtic target Tawanda Maswanhise almost left Motherwell
According to Belgian expert Sacha Tavolieri, Anderlecht held discussions over a Deadline Day move to sign Maswanhise.
They even had a three-and-a-half year deal on the table for the player.
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This is despite a three-and-a-half year deal being prepared by the Belgian heavyweights, who were in the market for attacking reinforcements.
They accelerated their push for a winger after Nilson Angulo, who had interest from Celtic in the summer, completed a £17.5 million move to Sunderland today.
Maswanhise is in the form of his life at Fir Park, scoring in six straight games in all competitions for club and country.
He is currently the top scorer in the Scottish Premiership with 13, one more than Celtic’s Benjamin Nygren.
But there is value in remaining at Motherwell, who have been a revelation under Jens Berthel Askou. Remarkably, they have lost just one game since October.
And if he can continue the form he is currently showing, a serious auction could be pending in the summer transfer window.
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Motherwell boss on Tawanda Maswanhise
Asked about Maswanhise’s links to Celtic, Askou said: “We are not in negotiations with anyone regarding any of our top players and we are not selling any of our top players this window.
“It is very late and we want them to stay this season and then we will see in the summer.
“We want to build a stronger squad than what we have right now and sharpen up a few things. That plan doesn’t include selling our best players.”
Maswanhise isn’t the only key man at Fir Park being linked away, with Elliot Watt reportedly of interest to Rangers.
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