Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Celtic will not be signing Ivorian winger Jocelin Ta Bi after Sunderland moved swiftly to wrap up the deal.
The update sheds light on a transfer that had been progressing quietly in recent weeks. Celtic had been working behind the scenes and were understood to be confident of securing the young wide player, viewing him as a long-term investment rather than an immediate solution.
Ta Bi’s age, profile and potential made him an appealing option during a challenging January window. However, the collapse of the move is likely to worry supporters, particularly given Celtic’s ongoing shortage of natural options on the right flank.
Celtic’s interest was real and had reached an advanced stage, with verbal agreements believed to be in place. The move was not fully finalised, though, which allowed Sunderland to step in with a more attractive financial offer and take control of the situation.
Sunderland’s decisive approach proved crucial, quickly swinging the outcome in their favour and leaving Celtic to miss out. Ta Bi is currently recovering from injury, meaning any transfer would have required patience and a focus on development rather than immediate impact. That context softens the blow in the short term but does little to ease frustration.
The episode underlines how tight the margins are for Celtic in this window, where hesitation can easily lead to lost opportunities. It also shows how rapidly circumstances can change once a club is willing to put firm money on the table.
For Sunderland, handing Ta Bi a five-year contract reflects confidence in his long-term potential. For Celtic, attention now turns to alternative targets. Missing out on one player does not end the search, but it does increase the pressure to deliver elsewhere.
Celtic’s wide options remain thin, with James Forrest and Yang Hyun-jun currently the main choices and neither fully securing the role. Even if Ta Bi was not ready to start regularly, he would have provided added depth and competition.
There is also a growing sense of frustration among supporters about being beaten to signings, a theme that has cropped up in recent transfer windows. That said, Ta Bi’s injury meant risk was always part of the equation, and Sunderland have accepted that with a higher outlay and longer commitment.
Celtic may have decided that level of risk was not worth taking given other priorities. January business often demands compromise, and the club appear keen to avoid costly missteps.
The focus now is on whether another winger is lined up, potentially someone more experienced. The need for pace, balance and end product from wide areas has been clear in recent matches, making reinforcements feel increasingly important as the deadline approaches.
This missed deal does not define the window, but it does add urgency. Celtic cannot afford too many near misses in key positions. For now, the Ta Bi chapter is closed, Sunderland have secured their man, and Celtic must move on quickly.