Celtic’s failed pursuit of Farès Ghedjemis has taken another fascinating twist after Frosinone president Maurizio Stirpe publicly lifted the lid on what happened behind the scenes.
Celtic made a serious attempt to sign the Algerian winger during the summer window, with Italian reporting putting their offer at around £6million — more than €7million.
Frosinone rejected it.
Now Stirpe has revealed that, had the decision been his alone, Ghedjemis could have been sold.
Celtic Ghedjemis Deal Was There to Be Done
Speaking at a press conference, Stirpe admitted he personally favoured selling the 24-year-old.
However, Frosinone’s new ownership group, Clara Vista, took a different position and insisted on keeping one of the club’s most valuable players.
That is an intriguing revelation for Celtic supporters.
It suggests Frosinone were not completely united internally over whether Ghedjemis should leave.
Stirpe also criticised the behaviour of Celtic and several other interested clubs during the transfer saga.
He claimed Celtic, the Ibrox club, Besiktas and Monaco approached the player’s side before properly dealing with Frosinone.
When proposals eventually arrived, Stirpe described them as inadequate.
Celtic Interest Was Very Real
Whatever anyone thinks about the negotiations, one thing is now beyond doubt: Celtic’s interest was serious.
This was not another name appearing on a speculative transfer list.
The president of the selling club has now publicly discussed Celtic’s approach and their eventual proposal.
Ghedjemis would have been an exciting addition.
He scored 15 league goals during Frosinone’s promotion-winning 2025/26 campaign and emerged as one of the most dangerous attacking players in Serie B.
There may also be another chapter to come.
Ghedjemis ultimately remained in Italy, but the circumstances surrounding his failed move make him a player worth watching when the January window arrives.
For Celtic, however, Stirpe’s comments also raise another question.
If the president himself was willing to sell, could Celtic have got this deal done by moving more decisively or structuring a better proposal?
We may never know.
What we do know is that Celtic wanted Ghedjemis, Frosinone received an offer — and the man at the top of the Italian club has now revealed he would personally have sanctioned a sale.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
• Frosinone president Maurizio Stirpe says he personally would have sold Farès Ghedjemis.
• Frosinone’s new ownership wanted the winger to remain.
• Italian reporting put Celtic’s offer at around £6million.
• Stirpe criticised how Celtic and other clubs handled their approaches.
• Celtic’s interest was concrete rather than speculative.
• The situation could be worth monitoring ahead of January.