Sunderland ‘agree deal’ to sign Jocelin Ta Bi after £3.5m hijack of Celtic move | OneFootball

Sunderland have reportedly agreed a deal to sign Ivorian winger Jocelin Ta Bi, hijacking Celtic’s move for the 20-year-old. According to Fabrizio Romano, an agreement is in place for a transfer.

Romano says the fee is £3.5m and a five-year contract has been agreed, with Celtic previously holding a verbal agreement before Sunderland’s late move.

Earlier this month Ta Bi was believed to be closing on Celtic after 18 months on loan at Israeli side Hapoel Petah Tikva from Maccabu Netanya. He publicly described playing for Celtic as a dream and thanked those in Israel for their support, as quoted by the Daily Record.

Foot Mercato later claimed Sunderland were preparing to step in as Celtic interest cooled. Israeli reports then stated a £2.5m switch to Glasgow was back on, and that an ankle ligament issue emerged in his medical. They also said he would travel to London for a second opinion and that his agent dismissed a Sunderland move.

The right-sided attacker has earned praise for his dribbling and left foot. He has two goals and two assists in 12 Israeli top-flight matches this season, and helped Hapoel Petah Tikva win promotion last term.

Source: Sunderland Echo