Hibs Won’t Sell Chaiwa — But Celtic’s Pursuit Is Far From Over | OneFootball

Celtic’s midfield rebuild remains an ongoing project, and Chaiwa is firmly on the list – but Hibs are under no pressure to do business.

Celtic’s interest in Hibernian midfielder Miguel Chaiwa is alive and ongoing, with fresh reporting indicating the club has maintained its position on the Zambia international even as Hibs make clear they have no intention of selling this summer.

As reported by 67 Hail Hail, Celtic’s stance on Chaiwa has not cooled, and this is a pursuit that carries genuine intent rather than casual window-shopping. The snag, as it has been from the start, is Hibs’ position – and that position has not shifted.

Chaiwa only arrived at Easter Road last summer, signing from BSC Young Boys on a three-year deal with an option for a further year after Hibs fought off substantial European competition to secure him. He brought genuine pedigree with him – 31 senior appearances for Young Boys, Champions League outings against Galatasaray, Celtic, and Red Star Belgrade, and 11 caps for Zambia. That kind of profile does not come cheap and does not leave easily.

Hibs manager David Gray has been candid enough to acknowledge that interest in Chaiwa is inevitable, but the club’s message is consistent: they are not selling. With around £6 million recently banked from the sale of Kieron Bowie, Hibs are in no financial difficulty that might force their hand. Chaiwa runs until May 2028. They can afford to wait.

Gray said of Chaiwa’s suitors that he was “not surprised there’s interest” – which is manager-speak for ‘we know what we have’. Hibs view him as a long-term asset, not a quick flip, and their valuation will reflect that accordingly.

Here’s the thing, though – Celtic’s interest is part of a broader midfield rebuild, not a one-off opportunistic move. Chaiwa sits on a shortlist that includes other targets, and with Arne Engels potentially attracting significant interest from elsewhere, the urgency around midfield recruitment is real. The club are actively working the market, as the ongoing pursuit of Ivan Basic also illustrates.

Celtic are also one of several suitors – Fiorentina and English clubs have been linked – so this is not a situation where we can bide our time indefinitely without risk of being outmanoeuvred.

The next move is straightforward if uncomfortable: either someone bids enough to test Hibs’ resolve, or this one drifts into the final weeks of the window. Chaiwa is the right age, right profile, and right kind of player for what we are trying to build. Whether the fee can be made to work is the only question that matters now.

Mon The Hoops.