Celtic were busy during the winter window as they tried to strengthen Martin O’Neill’s squad for the run-in to the end of the season. Five new faces arrived at Parkhead, although every addition was secured on loan.
The club also explored a permanent deal for Frosinone winger Farès Ghedjemis, but that move failed to materialise. The Serie B side were keen to keep hold of the player until at least the summer and rejected Celtic’s approach.
Although the transfer window shut on Monday, Celtic have continued to assess options outside it. According to L’Equipe, attention has turned to former Chelsea midfielder Tiémoué Bakayoko.
Bakayoko spent six years at Stamford Bridge before leaving as a free agent at the end of the 2022/23 campaign. He joined Lorient the following summer, also on a free transfer, but departed after a single season. The Frenchman then moved to Greece, signing for PAOK in August 2024 on a one-year deal that included an option for a further year. That option was not triggered, leaving the 31-year-old without a club since last summer.
Celtic have been monitoring Bakayoko alongside another free agent, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who has also been unattached since leaving Besiktas in June 2025.
L’Equipe report that Bakayoko had come extremely close to joining Celtic, with the midfielder agreeing terms on an 18-month contract. The outlet claims an agreement was close to completion for a move outside the transfer window.
However, the deal has since fallen through. The report states that Celtic have opted to pursue Oxlade-Chamberlain instead, bringing an end to Bakayoko’s proposed switch to Glasgow despite talks being at an advanced stage.