Gvidas Gineitis, the 22-year-old Lithuanian midfielder Celtic chased hard this summer, just got pulled at halftime in Torino’s 2-0 loss to Roma on September 14. Daniel Bragança replaced him, and that single moment? It’s a huge flashpoint for Celtic, who are reportedly ready to dive back into talks for him come January. Pete O’Rourke from Football Insider confirms the club still wants their main midfield target. Talk about a second chance for a move that felt dead in the water just weeks ago!
The Summer Chase Exposed Some Cracks
Remember the summer window? Celtic pushed a £9m proposal for Gineitis, but Torino stood firm, valuing him closer to £13m. That £4m gap was the whole reason the deal collapsed. But it wasn’t just about the cash. The failed move came right after Celtic missed out on Champions League qualification, which definitely tightened up the recruitment budget. Gineitis’ agent, Dmitry Vinokurov, spilled the tea on that situation, saying the coaching and football staff were all-in on the move. But the “figures” , read: the board , remained less convinced about committing the funds. And get this: Celtic and Gineitis never even agreed on personal terms because the club wanted to settle the fee with Torino first. It really highlighted a disconnect between what the coaches desperately wanted and what the board was willing to spend. Instead, Celtic ended up signing Oliver Sørensen.
Why Gineitis Still Matters (and What He Needs to Fix)
So, why are the Hoops still so keen on a guy who was just hooked at halftime? Well, Gineitis brings a lot to the table. He’s tall, left-footed, and can add some serious size, ball recovery, and range from central midfield. He’s not some rando with a small sample size either, having played 31 times for Torino last season across league and cup competitions. But here’s the rub: his early 2026/27 minutes have been limited, and his passing numbers demand caution before any club drops serious money. His playing style is risky, too. He can lose possession when opponents press aggressively, and his lateral movement sometimes leaves gaps during quick transitions. Celtic would need him to sharpen up those details, not just rely on his physical presence. Martin O’Neill knows the football department was gutted when they missed him, and now, with Gineitis’s situation potentially changing, the opportunity might be back on the table.
A January move would make perfect sense, especially if Celtic can snag him for a lower fee than that summer figure. Dropping £13m for a player who’s now getting limited minutes and hasn’t consistently established himself in Serie A? That’s a much riskier bet. The smart play is to negotiate hard and force Torino’s hand. Do they really want to keep an unsettled midfielder, or would they rather take a lower deal for a player Celtic clearly rates? It feels like we’re about to find out, and the stakes for Celtic’s midfield are huge.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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