Celtic Faces £10m Price Tag for Torino’s Gvidas Gineitis in January Transfer Window
Celtic may need to exceed £10 million to secure the signing of Torino midfielder Gvidas Gineitis in the upcoming January transfer window, as reported by the Daily Record, a fee that would break the club’s winter transfer record. Torino previously rejected a £9 million bid during the summer when Martin O’Neill was seeking a replacement for Arne Engels, who transferred to West Ham.
The failed transfer has soured relations between Celtic and Gineitis’ camp. Both the player and his agent were taken aback by how the negotiations concluded, leading them to question Celtic’s commitment. Gineitis’ representatives have since begun discussions regarding a contract with Torino head coach Ignazio Abate, which strengthens Torino’s position in future negotiations.
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In September, Gineitis expressed that a move to Glasgow would be an intriguing and beneficial opportunity, indicating that his interest remains despite the recent developments affecting his trust.
O’Neill’s team currently leads the Premiership with 28 points after 12 matches, but they faced challenges recently, suffering a 2-0 defeat at Falkirk on November 1 and narrowly securing a 3-2 victory against Besiktas in the Europa League, thanks to late goals from Camilo Duran. The midfield has looked vulnerable since a 5-1 loss to LASK earlier in Champions League qualifying, with summer signings Mika Baur, Oliver Sorensen, and Joel van den Berg yet to stabilize the position.
At 22 years old, Gineitis stands at 6 feet 3 inches and is left-footed, showcasing agility and ball-carrying ability that could potentially enhance Celtic’s offensive play. However, concerns remain regarding his output, as he has netted three goals and provided four assists across approximately 86 appearances for Torino, including just one assist in 29 Serie A games last season. He is more of a box-to-box player than a dedicated defensive midfielder.
Is Gineitis Worth a Record January Fee for Celtic?
Florence, Italy – September 05: Gvidas Gineitis of Torino FC in action during the Serie A match between ACF Fiorentina and Torino FC at Stadio Artemio Franchi on September 5, 2026 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)
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Celtic would be investing more than what Torino rejected back in August, raising questions about Gineitis’ value at that price. The player’s statistics do not mirror those of Engels, who consistently contributed to scoring and assisting from an advanced midfield role. What Celtic truly need is a player capable of protecting the defense and breaking up attacks, a role that Gineitis only partially fulfills. With Callum McGregor now 33, finding a long-term successor in that deeper role should be a priority.
Amidst financial challenges, Torino faces pressure to sell players, as sporting director Gianluca Petrachi acknowledged in August that the club incurs losses of around €20 million annually, suggesting that a summer transfer might yield a lower fee. If O’Neill remains interested in Gineitis, the transfer fee is likely to be close to £10 million, although prioritizing a specialized defensive midfielder should come first.
