Celtic ‘running the rule’ over France cap hoping to impress Martin O’Neill after two years without a club
Former Chelsea and AC Milan star Tiémoué Bakayoko is training with Celtic as he looks convince the Scottish champions to offer him a contract after two years without a club.
The experienced 32-year-old midfielder has been a free agent since leaving Greek outfit PAOK in January 2025, having previously starred at Stamford Bridge and the San Siro during a career that has seen him collect several major honours.
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According to Sky Sports, Hoops boss Martin O’Neill and his coaching staff have been running the rule over Bakayoko in recent weeks with the Scottish Premiership on hold during the international break.
Tiemoue Bakayoko of AC Milan in action during the Serie A match against Atalanta (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images)placeholder image
Tiemoue Bakayoko of AC Milan in action during the Serie A match against Atalanta (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Frenchman was previously linked with a move to Parkhead during the January transfer window. Reports in France suggested Celtic had considered offering him an 18-month deal at the time, but the proposed switch failed to materialise.
Instead, the Scottish champions turned their attention to ex-Liverpool and Arsenal man Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain as they sought to bolster their midfield options with additional experience.
Bakayoko boasts impressive CV
Bakayoko would nevertheless bring considerable top-level experience to the table. He won the Ligue 1 title with Monaco, claimed Serie A honours on loan at AC Milan and lifted the FA Cup while at Chelsea. At one stage, his transfer value was estimated at around £40million.
However, his career has nosedived in recent seasons. Chelsea opted against making his loan spell at Milan permanent in 2024, and subsequent moves to Lorient and PAOK did little to establish him at a new club.
Now, the former France cap appears determined to secure another opportunity and return to competitive action. Speaking earlier this year about his future, Bakayoko made it clear that he remains motivated to get back on the pitch.
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“The transfer window? There are some things coming about my future. I am feeling 100 per cent ready for the next challenge. I miss football a lot,” he said.
Bakayoko reported training stint at Celtic could offer him a chance to revive his career, although it remains to be seen whether his time with at Lennoxtown will lead to the offer of a permanent deal.
O’Neill to integrate Chelsea loanee after debut delayed by injury
Meanwhile, O’Neill is hopeful that Chelsea loanee Landon Emenalo will join up with Celtic this weekend and prepare for his first training session next week as he looks to integrate the youngster into the squad.
The 18-year-old midfielder arrived in Scotland carrying a knock sustained while training with the English Premier League club, delaying his availability after a temporary move was agreed late in the summer transfer window.
Chelsea youngster Landon Emenalo has yet to feature in a matchday squad for Celtic since agreeing a loan move in early Septemberplaceholder image
Chelsea youngster Landon Emenalo has yet to feature in a matchday squad for Celtic since agreeing a loan move in early September | Getty Images
O’Neill initially suggested the Emenalo would be sidelined for only a couple of weeks, but he has yet to feature in a matchday squad or be seen training with the first-team.
“Yeah, I’m hoping to see him,” O’Neill declared when quizzed about the possibility of having Emenalo involved in training shortly. “With a bit of luck he’ll come up tomorrow and he’ll start with us next week. Of course, he’s not with the European team, so he’ll either be travelling out to Benfica with us, or we might even get some work there. But yeah, that’s pleasing to hear.”