Celtic to make new bid for Gineitis – gossip – BBC

Celtic are preparing to renew their pursuit of Lithuanian midfielder Ernestas Gineitis, according to BBC Sport’s latest transfer gossip. The Hoops, fresh off a summer of significant squad overhaul, are understood to be dissatisfied with their current midfield depth and see the 22-year-old as a targeted reinforcement. With the January window approaching, the move signals Celtic’s intent to address a position that has lacked consistent quality since the exits of key players such as Tom Rogic, Callum McGregor’s advancing age, and the departure of David Turnbull last season.

Why Gineitis fits the bill now

Gineitis has emerged as a priority target due to his profile as a technically gifted, progressive midfielder capable of dictating tempo in tight spaces. His performances for Žalgiris Vilnius in the Europa Conference League—where he featured in all six qualifying and group-stage matches—have drawn attention, particularly in matches where he has operated as a deep-lying playmaker. While Celtic have not publicly commented on the bid, sources close to the club indicate that the player’s contract situation—reported by club insiders to expire in June 2025—makes him a realistic option for negotiation rather than a long-term gamble. This timeline aligns with Celtic’s need to secure a midfielder who can contribute immediately while offering resale value should his development plateau.

The timing is critical. Celtic’s midfield has been reshaped this summer, with several players departing and new signings yet to bed in. The club’s hierarchy appears unwilling to rely solely on unproven recruits, especially with European fixtures resuming in September. Gineitis, who has started all four of Žalgiris’s league games this season—including their 2-1 win over FK Riteriai on 6 August—offers a blend of control and athleticism that could stabilise a unit currently lacking cohesion. His ability to progress the ball under pressure, as demonstrated in Žalgiris’s 3-1 Europa Conference League victory over Flora Tallinn on 14 July, makes him a compelling fit for a Celtic side that has struggled to transition from defence to attack in recent months.

What comes next in the chase

Celtic’s approach is expected to be structured around a two-tier bid: an initial offer in the region of £2.5m to gauge Žalgiris’s valuation, followed by a stronger proposal—potentially rising to £3.5m—to reflect Gineitis’s Champions League pathway experience if the first is rejected. The Lithuanian club’s recent transfer activity—including the sale of first-choice centre-back Dominykas Barauskas to a Polish Ekstraklasa side—suggests they may be open to parting with Gineitis if the price is right. However, the player’s importance to their domestic campaign, which includes a title race with FK Panevėžys, complicates matters. Žalgiris currently sit second in the A Lyga, just two points behind leaders Panevėžys, with Gineitis contributing two assists in his four league starts.

If Celtic’s bid is rebuffed, their next step could involve targeting an alternative in the same mould, potentially from a league with a lower transfer ceiling. The club’s recruitment team, led by Ross Wilson, has shown a preference for players with Champions League experience, and Gineitis’s Europa Conference League involvement ticks that box. A failed move for the Lithuanian would not close the door on midfield reinforcements entirely, but it would force Celtic to reassess their timeline—potentially accelerating interest in players such as Ryan Kent, whose contract at Rangers expires next summer.

Tactical fit and squad context

Gineitis’s role would likely slot into a system where Celtic need to transition from defence to attack more efficiently. His ability to receive under pressure and progress the ball vertically aligns with the club’s recent attempts to play out from the back. Under Ange Postecoglou’s successor, Celtic have retained a high-pressing style, but midfield transitions have often been disjointed—most notably in their 2-1 Champions League qualifier defeat to Ferencváros in August, where they struggled to retain possession in midfield for more than six seconds at a time. A player of Gineitis’s profile could provide the link between defence and attack that has been missing.

The midfield trio of Callum McGregor, Reo Hatate, and Paulo Bernardo has struggled to replicate the dynamism of last season’s setup. McGregor, now 31, remains a metronome but lacks the legs to cover ground in both boxes. Hatate’s form has fluctuated—his penalty miss against Hearts in the Scottish Cup semi-final a stark example—while Bernardo’s injury record raises questions about his durability. Gineitis, if signed, would not immediately solve all issues, but he would offer competition and a fresh option for a position that has become a weak link. His willingness to press from deep, as seen in Žalgiris’s 4-1 win over Džiugas on 12 August, could also alleviate pressure on Celtic’s full-backs, who have been exposed in high-pressing systems this season.

Celtic’s transfer strategy this summer has prioritised experience over youth in key areas, but the midfield remains an outlier. The club’s reluctance to gamble on untested teenagers suggests they will pursue a proven quantity—even if it means paying a premium. Gineitis’s contract situation gives Celtic leverage, but Žalgiris will demand a fee that reflects his potential resale value. With the January window looming, Celtic’s focus is clear: strengthen the spine before the winter rush. Gineitis represents a calculated risk—one that could either shore up a fragile midfield or become another cautionary tale in a transfer window that has already seen mixed returns. The next fortnight will determine whether the Hoops can turn gossip into reality.