Celtic target Fares Ghedjemis set to stay at Frosinone after dramatic transfer collapse

Celtic target Fares Ghedjemis appears likely to remain with Frosinone after a turbulent summer ended without the expected move away from Italy.

The Hoops have maintained a strong interest in the 23-year-old winger, with Martin O’Neill confirming last month that Celtic were keen on securing his services. The Glasgow club had also tried to bring Ghedjemis to Scotland during the January transfer window.

On that occasion, however, the Algerian turned down Celtic and stayed with Frosinone, subsequently playing his part in helping the Italian side earn promotion to Serie A.

His performances ensured that interest in the winger increased over the summer. Celtic were not alone in monitoring his situation, with Monaco, Lazio and Rangers also reportedly keeping tabs on him.

For a time, a departure looked increasingly likely, but circumstances surrounding another transfer ultimately prevented Ghedjemis from getting his desired move.

Algerian journalist Dean Ammi has claimed that Frosinone effectively prevented the winger from leaving, while also suggesting the club were demanding a fee of around £30million.

Monaco had reportedly moved into pole position for Ghedjemis, with the player himself understood to have been particularly keen on relocating to the French principality.

However, Monaco’s transfer plans depended heavily on generating funds through player sales. They had reportedly agreed a £40million deal with Everton for Folarin Balogun, which would have provided the financial flexibility needed to make further additions.

That move unexpectedly collapsed after Balogun decided against completing the transfer.

The failed deal had major consequences for Monaco’s recruitment plans, with the club unable to make the expected signings during the final weeks of the transfer window.

Ghedjemis was therefore left without the move he had been hoping for and is now facing an uncertain situation back at Frosinone.

The winger has not yet made an appearance for the club this season. Frosinone director Renzo Castagnini previously suggested that the transfer speculation had affected Ghedjemis, explaining that he had been omitted because he was distracted by the situation.

With the transfer window now shut, Ghedjemis’ immediate priority will be to regain his place in the Frosinone squad and prove that he remains fully committed to the club.

Frosinone have already made an encouraging start, highlighted by an impressive 3-0 away victory over Fiorentina, and Ghedjemis will now have to work his way back into the manager’s plans.

The situation is particularly uncomfortable for the winger given that he appeared to bid farewell to members of Frosinone’s staff earlier in the summer, seemingly expecting his time at the club to come to an end.

Instead, the 23-year-old looks set to stay in Italy for now, despite Celtic and several other clubs showing interest in him.