Celtic’s efforts to sign Gvidas Gineitis from Torino ended up leaving his agent confused about their transfer strategy.
Cuore Toro report on the agent today after he made an appearance on the Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT to discuss the summer transfer interest in his client.
He explained that various clubs around Europe tried to sign the 22-year-old this summer, including Celtic. Sport Witness covered their interest throughout the summer.
Agent left confused
Dmitrijus Vinokurovas backed that up, explaining that the Scottish champions ‘technical staff’ showed concrete interest in the Lithuanian. They even went as far as to arrange a video call with his representatives.
However, not everyone was convinced about the deal. Celtic did go as far as to arrange a deal with Torino first. They then turned their attention to personal details. It is there where the transfer fell apart.
Their failure to qualify for the Champions League also put a stop to the move. That limited the financial resources available at that point in the window. Thus, the move for the Torino midfielder never happened.
No personal terms agreed
There is one thing that Vinokurovas wants to clear up, though. Despite reports elsewhere, he insists that Celtic never agreed to personal terms with him or his client.
“Personal terms with Gvidas were never agreed,” LRT report him saying.
“Celtic said they first wanted to reach an agreement with Torino. Usually, it is done the other way around.
“But ultimately, I think the main problem was that not everyone in the club’s leadership was as convinced about this transfer as the coaching staff.
“I know that after they collapsed in Austria, Martin O’Neill went to the board and told them that if they had signed Gvidas and another player they were targeting earlier, Celtic would now be in the Champions League.
“‘Celtic’ is a massive club, but he is staying in Serie A, staying in Turin, and everything is fine.”
