Celtic have returned for Yaser Asprilla after missing out on the Girona winger earlier this year.
The Hoops made contact over a move in January, when the Colombian was looking for a way out of Spain. He eventually chose Galatasaray, but that adventure didn’t work out.
Now Celtic are back among his options. Colombian journalist Pipe Sierra reports the Scottish club are showing interest in Asprilla, alongside Valencia, Lecce and clubs in France.
Celtic get another chance
There’s a nice bit of continuity here for Celtic. Sierra was also the man bringing updates on Asprilla’s situation in January. At the time, he explained Galatasaray had moved ahead of the competition.
Celtic had made contact, but the Turkish club presented Girona with the most convincing proposal.
That took Asprilla to Istanbul on loan, with a €23m (£19.9m) purchase clause included in the deal. By April, things had gone badly enough that a permanent move looked unlikely.
Asprilla struggled for regular football at Galatasaray and then suffered a knee injury. Spanish coverage said everything pointed towards him returning to Girona.
We suggested at the time that this could give Celtic another opportunity in the summer. And well, here we are.
Asprilla wants to stay in Europe
Sierra now says Girona are refusing to let Asprilla leave “for the moment”. That’s the main obstacle for Celtic and the other interested clubs.
The player’s own plans could be more encouraging. Asprilla wants to remain in Europe and his personal objective is to play in a top division. Celtic can obviously tick both boxes, while also offering him European football.
There is no suggestion yet that they have made an offer or started negotiations with Girona. The Spanish club’s current stance means there may not be much point doing so anyway.
Still, Celtic’s interest has survived one failed attempt and Asprilla’s unsuccessful spell in Turkey.
Four months after his return to Girona looked like it could provide Celtic with a second chance, that second chance appears to have arrived.
