Fabrizio Romano has delivered late-night bad news for Celtic as the Hoops continue their search for reinforcements during the January transfer window.
While the window has been eventful off the pitch, Celtic’s actual transfer activity has been limited. The club’s only arrivals so far have been loan signings, with Julian Araujo joining from Bournemouth and Tomas Cvancara arriving from Borussia Monchengladbach. Instead, the biggest talking point has been managerial upheaval, with Wilfried Nancy dismissed and Martin O’Neill returning for a second interim spell in a short space of time.
Despite operating with restricted resources, O’Neill has made a positive impact since coming back into the dugout. However, Celtic are still in need of further backing this month if they are to mount a serious title challenge. Hearts currently sit six points clear at the top of the table with 15 games remaining, and the two sides face each other this weekend in what feels like a must-win encounter for the Hoops.
With that fixture looming, hopes of late January additions are beginning to fade. And one Celtic-linked player has now been ruled out entirely.
According to Fabrizio Romano, Yaser Asprilla’s move to Galatasaray is now a “here we go”. The Turkish giants have reached a verbal agreement with Girona on an initial loan deal that includes an obligation to buy, dependent on the player making a certain number of appearances. The potential final fee could rise to around €23 million.
That figure effectively ends any speculation of a move to Parkhead. Celtic were never realistically going to sanction a deal of that size, regardless of Asprilla’s talent, making it clear that the winger was always likely to be out of reach.
While there remains a small chance the obligation clause may not be triggered, Asprilla will not be joining Celtic in the immediate future. That is a blow for a squad that is in need of options out wide, especially with Michel-Ange Balikwisha struggling to make an impact since his summer arrival and Jota expected to miss the remainder of the season after suffering a serious injury earlier this year.
With time running out in the window, Celtic’s lack of movement may yet prove costly.