The Hoops star is wanted by the Toffees and could be followed down the road by West Ham target Arne Engels
Arne Engels and Alistair Johnston
Arne Engels and Alistair Johnston(Image: SNS Group)
View 3 Images
Martin O'Neill says Celtic are back in the hunt for Frosinone wide man Fares Ghedjemis.
But the Hoops boss admits Arne Engels and Alistair Johnston could both be on their way OUT.
Celts were in advanced talks to land highly-rated Algeria international Ghedjemis in January before a deal collapsed.
But the champions have renewed their interest in the £8million-rated star - and could face competition from rivals Rangers.
It's believed Ghedjemis - who netted 15 goals in Serie B last season - is on a list of potential targets for Derek McInnes.
However, Celtic hope to win the race for his signature after O'Neill revealed the 23-year-old is back on his wish list.
He said: “I don’t know whether Rangers are trying to sign him. But we have a very strong interest in him. I don’t know about the other thing.”
O'Neill claimed the Parkhead giants were close to securing more signings.
Asked if Ghedjemis was one of the targets nearing a move, O’Neill smiled: “I don’t know how close we can get, but we are genuinely making good progress.”
Celtic have also been chasing a deal for Egypt World Cup star Haissem Hassan but an agreement has yet to be struck with Real Oviedo.
Left-back Greg Taylor has been touted for a return to Glasgow's east end but O'Neill said: “Kieran Tierney will be our first choice left back and we need someone to fill in the position. I don’t want to throw anything into the melting pot."
PAOK defender Greg Taylor
PAOK defender Greg Taylor
View 3 Images
Meanwhile, O'Neill has warned West Ham they'll have to shell out big bucks to land Engels.
The Hammers are locked in talks over a deal for the Belgium international but their initial interest has fallen well short of Celtic's £25m valuation.
As Record Sport revealed, Everton are also set to launch a bid for Canadian defender Johnston.
O'Neill admits he'd be gutted to lose the Double-winning pair but knows money talks.
He said: "I think there's been something put in that hasn't remotely made our valuation for a start. And the same with Alistair Johnston, Everton have been in contact.
"I'm not sure whether there's been a bid in there for that one, but they've been in contact saying that they would be.
"In fairness, David Moyes did call me last week and say that there would be contact. But I don't know how far that has progressed, if it has at all.
"But yeah, that would be disappointing obviously. But I suppose it's to be expected, you know, players who have done well.
"We turned down a big offer [for Engels] in January from Nottingham Forest. They came in at the very last minute, so we couldn't do anything. Arne was alright with it.
"But it's difficult to stop people if their ambition is to play in a big, big league. West Ham have been relegated, but they have obviously enhanced their financial situation. Those things are difficult.
"Our job is to try and do our best to keep them. If that's not possible, naturally, we'll have to try and get replacements in. To replace those players would be a difficult task.”
Celtic boss Martin O'Neill
Celtic boss Martin O'Neill(Image: Roddy Scott/Shutterstock)
View 3 Images
While Engels was widely expected to follow Daizen Maeda out the door this summer, losing right-back Johnston would be a major blow.
O’Neill said: "I've spoken to him on the back of the interest. Again, it was one of those where Alistair is perfectly happy here at the football club.
“But like anything else, your head can get turned very quickly, particularly if it's a really good club.
“He wouldn't leave here for a second-class Premier League club, if there is such a thing, but if a big, big club comes in, it's something you would have to look at.
“And I think it's only natural as well. If I was a player, I'd be exactly the same.”
O’Neill has faith that Celts will be able to push the button on landing replacements.
He added: "In fairness to the recruitment side, they are very diligent. Seriously, they are. There's options. Some that might be well and truly beyond us, might be silly, there might be more interest in trying to keep a player here rather than develop the option.
“But overall the recruitment staff hand me information all of the time. It's collaborative, whereas 25 years ago it wasn't. I just did it myself.”