Celtic Eye Summer Move For This Serie A Sensation: Why He Would Flourish As Engels’ Successor | OneFootball

Celtic are exploring the market for Arne Engels’ replacement amid interest from Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace and AS Roma for the £20m-rated Belgian midfield ace. If a recent report from The Scottish Sun is believed to be true, they are keeping close tabs on Gvidas Gineitis, who has caught the eye in Serie A in Torino colours.

The 22-year-old Lithuania international progressed through NFA Kaunas’s academy ranks back in his homeland before earning a senior status in the second division. He then joined Atmosfera, who were also competing in I Lyga, but his calmness and control in the centre of the pitch earned him a high-profile move to Italy, with Serie B side SPAL snapping him up in the summer of 2020.

The youngster only represented them across various youth levels ahead of a winter deadline-day switch to top-flight outfit Torino in January 2022. After a brief stint with the U-19s, Gineitis was promoted to the first team and has so far featured 80 times across competitions. He started 25 games out of last season’s 31 appearances, thus cementing a key role alongside Nikola Vlasic and Cesare Casadei.

A Summer Exit Is On The Cards?

Although Gineitis still has three years left on his Il Toro contract, an exit has not been ruled out, as revealed by his agent Dmitry Vinokurov.

The Celtic hierarchy rewarded veteran Martin O’Neill with a permanent contract after conquering a ‘domestic double’ against the odds. But he reiterated the necessity of a squad overhaul following their below-par business over the past couple of windows. They only brought in Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who was available on a Bosman in winter. However, the former Arsenal and Liverpool star is now expected to part ways, as he is unlikely to be handed a 12-month extension.

TURIN, ITALY – DECEMBER 21: Gvidas Gineitis of Torino battles for possession with Sam Beukema of Bologna during the Serie A match between Torino and Bologna at Stadio Olimpico di Torino on December 21, 2024 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)

Why Celtic Must Step Up The Chase For The Young Midfield Ace

Meanwhile, Reo Hatate has asked the club to let him leave, having fallen down the pecking order under O’Neill. Paulo Bernardo, too, is not in the Northern Irishman’s plans, and Engels’ likely departure would leave them short in the middle of the park. Benjamin Nygren enjoyed a spectacular campaign, but the Swedish star is more suited as an advanced playmaker.

Gineitis is regarded for his physical and aerial dominance, stamina and work rate. He has excelled at breaking up plays, blocking channels, and reclaiming possession. Also, his passing, through balls and shooting traits as a ‘number 8’ should see him slot deep in the midfield alongside Callum McGregor. The Lithuanian has a very high ceiling, and it remains to be seen whether a move to Glasgow fascinates him this summer.