Celtic bid for Hammarby winger Sebastian Tounekti

Anel Avdic, a sports journalist at Swedish outlet Sport Expressen, has reported today that Celtic have made a bid for Norwegian winger Sebastian Tounekti.

This translates as follows:

‘Celtic have made a bid for Sebastian Tounekti from Hammarby. The bid is €3 million, equivalent to 33 million kronor, but Bajen are demanding at least double that to sell the Norwegian winger’

And  the Scottish Sun reports that Celtic has lodged a bid of around £1 million for (Norwegian born) Tunisian international winger Sebastian Tounekti, currently at Hammarby in Sweden. The 23-year-old has seemingly shown promise this season, with three goals and five assists, though Hammarby are reportedly holding out for closer to £1.8 million.

The valuations on bids made and asking prices differ in both reports but it certainly seems like Celtic are active in this one, judging by the lowballing involved.

The timing is also perhaps significant. As we reported earlier on The Celtic Star, Yang perhaps looks set to head south to Birmingham City before Monday’s transfer deadline, and that may leave Celtic looking for immediate reinforcement on the wings.

Tounekti seems at least like a candidate to step in, although he appears predominately a left winger, with excellent ball carrying abilities, he’s also operated on the right wing too, so perhaps similar to Yang and James Forrest in that respect.

As his numbers might suggest he may well need to work on his finishing, but at 23 there is certainly room for further development. Here’s his video montage –

Now, the way we are all feeling today where Champions League football has been surrendered on the back of poor recruitment once again this summer, the question many will be asking is would this move even have been considered if Celtic had progressed in the Champions League? Perhaps, perhaps not. The club’s European exit has likely forced Rodgers and the board to act—and quickly.

Supporters are however probably right to be sceptical to a certain extent. Is this a genuine bid for a talented young winger, or a convenient distraction from the board’s flawed recruitment gamble? The price tag – whichever one is correct – seems in fitting with the business done so far.

Whatever the background to this one, the message remains the same – Celtic desperately need fresh blood, new ideas, and players who can make a tangible difference, as the front three attacking options are crying out for both quality and depth. Tounekti might deliver that, or he might be another stop-gap story aimed at soothing restless fans.

The truth of the matter is we won’t know until the deal is done. But in a summer already defined by recruitment frustration, any spark of activity—even if it is reactionary—is probably welcome.

Celtic need players, not excuses, and we need them by Monday.