Gvidas Gineitis on his way to Celtic after Coppa Italia loss
There was a flurry of transfer activity at Celtic Park yesterday, but ultimately, only one player purchase was completed.
Eric Knott 
TURIN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 1: Gvidas Gineitis of Torino FC in action during the Coppa Italia match between Torino FC and AC Monza at Stadio Olimpico Grande Torino on September 1, 2026 in Turin, Italy. (Photo by Stefano Guidi - Torino FC/Torino FC 1906 via Getty Images)
Despite being named, and playing in the Coppa Italia loss to Monza, it looks like Gvidas Gineitis played his final game for Torino last night.
A fee of around £9 million has apparently been agreed between Celtic and I Granata.
Torino have signed midfielders Rolando Madragora from Fiorentina, and Daniel Bragança from Sporting Lisbon.
Which should open the door for Gineitis’ departure.
On that basis, we could expect to see Gineitis landing in Glasgow Airport sometime today.
In order for the Lithuanian international to be eligible to play in this season’s Europa League, he would have to be announced as a Celtic player before 11.00 pm tonight.
UPDATE: Celtic are close to agreeing a deal for Torino midfielder Gvidas Gineitis.
— Anthony Joseph (@AnthonyRJoseph) September 1, 2026
It’s understood talks have progressed well today and have reached an advanced stage.
The Lithuania international, 22, is said to be keen to join the Scottish champions.
Gineitis has been… https://t.co/tBxPt5FFL9
With the sales of Reo Hatate and Johnny Kenny announced last night, Celtic have more cash in the bank, and continue to be in a trading surplus for this transfer window thus far.
Reo Hatate got his ‘dream move’ to the Championship, and is headed to the sunnier climes of Lancashire to fulfil his ambitions of playing in a ‘top 6 league in Europe’.
Okay, I might have exaggerated a little there.
Swapping the Lancashire Derby for the Glasgow Derby seems to appeal to the Japanese midfielder, so who am I to jugde?
I can’t say that I’m gutted to see Hatate go, but I do wish him all the best.
It seemed to me that he played his last real game for Celtic last March in the 2-2 draw at Ibrox.
Since then, he hasn’t really been seen to contribute much in a Celtic shirt.
He leaves Celtic quietly for an ‘undisclosed fee’.
Which in other words means it wasn’t really worth talking about.
CONFIRMED: Burnley have signed Celtic midfielder Reo Hatate.
— Anthony Joseph (@AnthonyRJoseph) September 1, 2026
The Japan international has penned a three-year deal with the Championship club. pic.twitter.com/HuL0DexGsm
Johnny Kenny, on the other hand, departs Celtic for £3 million and is headed to Preston North End.
Not a bad piece of business considering.
He brings the total departures at Celtic Park this summer to 18.
Are we looking at any more departures before business concludes at 11.00 pm tomorrow evening?
Well, with this Celtic board, who knows?
Anything could happen.
I have no doubt that by the time this transfer window shuts, the happy clappers will be telling us to shut up, and be grateful for the fantastic business conducted throughout the summer.
The last few days, if anything, have been scattergun when it comes to the acquisition of players.
It looks like we may get 6 in total in.
The only actual purchases out of those 6 will be Joel van den Berg from PSV Eindhoven, and Gineitis, if he is confirmed today.
Midfielder Oliver Sørensen was announced yesterday as a loan to buy option from Parma.
The option to buy fee is undisclosed.
Chelsea’s Landon Emanalo (left-back -18) and Shim Mheuka (striker-18) both look to be lined up as loan options.
And finally, goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, 33, will sign on for a year long loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
No option to buy has been announced in this deal either.
Which is odd, when you consider Celtic’s need for permanent options in the goalkeeping position.
So, as predicted, it will be more loans than purchases to close out the window.
Will there be more?
Well, we’ll just have to see how today pans out.
If Ginietis is announced today, this will go down as a decent piece of business.
The midfielder cover we needed, considering another has left in Hatate, should hopefully be sufficient.
Let’s see how today unravels.
We’ll have a clearer picture then as we head into the final day.
Shockingly, Celtic might actually have their business complete before the deadline of 11.00 pm.
Wonders will never cease.
Key Takeaways
- Gvidas Gineitis likely played his final game for Torino, with a £9 million transfer fee to Celtic reportedly agreed.
- Celtic’s recent sales of Reo Hatate and Johnny Kenny have increased their funds, keeping them in a trading surplus.
- Reo Hatate moves to the Championship while Johnny Kenny transfers to Preston North End for £3 million.
- With 18 player departures this summer, questions arise about further transfers before the deadline at 11:00 pm.
- Celtic may acquire 6 new players, with Joel van den Berg and potentially Gineitis among them.
Choose Read Celtic as a ‘Preferred Source’ on Google News for quick access to the news you value.
