Will Farès Ghedjemis Join Celtic or Rangers in Glasgow 2026?

Key Points

• Renewed Transfer Interest: Celtic have reignited their pursuit of Frosinone’s 23-year-old winger Farès Ghedjemis after failing to secure his signature during the January transfer window.
• Old Firm Rivalry: Reports initially surfaced that Rangers had identified the Algerian international as a primary target, creating a potential head-to-head battle across the Glasgow divide.
• Valuation Surge: Following Frosinone’s successful promotion campaign and Ghedjemis’s performances—including representation for Algeria at the 2026 FIFA World Cup—the winger’s market valuation has doubled from the initial £6 million (€15 million) mark to approximately £8 million.
• Managerial Confirmation: Celtic manager Martin O’Neill publicly confirmed the club’s “very strong interest” in the player ahead of the Scottish Premiership opening matches.
• Current Player Stance: Ghedjemis previously rejected a move to Parkhead in January to assist Frosinone in securing promotion from Serie B, a goal the Italian club successfully achieved.

Glasgow (Glasgow Express) August 1, 2026 – Celtic and Rangers have been drawn into a competitive transfer saga surrounding Frosinone winger Farès Ghedjemis as both Scottish Premiership clubs evaluate their attacking options ahead of the new domestic campaign. As reported by Stephen McGowan of The Herald, Celtic have officially renewed their pursuit of the 23-year-old Algerian international, seven months after an initial £6 million agreement with the Italian side failed to materialise due to the player’s preference to remain in Serie B. The development comes amidst simultaneous reporting from Italian sports journalists linking Rangers to the wide player, setting up a high-profile target crossover between the two Glasgow rivals.

What Are the Latest Reports Regarding Rangers and Celtic’s Pursuit of Farès Ghedjemis?

As reported by Italian journalist Luca Bendoni of Sky Sport, Rangers initially earmarked Ghedjemis as one of their primary transfer targets to strengthen their wide positions following recent squad departures. Writing on social media platform X, Luca Bendoni stated that

“Farès Ghedjemis is considered as one of Rangers’ top targets for the winger position,”

adding that the player was attracting attention from multiple overseas clubs.

However, subsequent developments indicated a shift in the landscape. As reported by Gianluca Di Marzio of Sky Sport, Celtic re-entered negotiations to compete directly for the player’s services.

Shortly thereafter, Stephen McGowan of The Herald reported that while Celtic had actively revived their interest in the £8 million-rated winger, Rangers had shifted their immediate recruitment focus toward alternative wide targets, including Brighton & Hove Albion’s Amario Cozier-Duberry and Coventry City’s Jahnoah Markelo.

As reported by Inside Ibrox, Rangers currently retain Ghedjemis on their broader list of potential options rather than actively pursuing a formal bid, leaving Celtic with a clearer trajectory to negotiate terms with Frosinone should they choose to formalise their interest.

How Has Celtic Manager Martin O’Neill Responded to the Transfer Rumours?

Speaking at a pre-match press conference ahead of Celtic’s domestic fixture, manager Martin O’Neill explicitly addressed the club’s position regarding the Algerian winger.

As reported by Celts Are Here, Martin O’Neill stated:

“I don’t know whether Rangers are trying to sign him. But we have a very strong interest in him. I don’t know about the other thing. I don’t know how close we can get, but we are genuinely making really good progress.”

The managerial admission confirms that Celtic’s recruitment staff have remained in active dialogue regarding the player since the turn of the year, seeking to conclude a deal before the close of the summer transfer window.

Why Did Farès Ghedjemis Reject Celtic’s January Transfer Offer?

The initial effort by Celtic to sign Ghedjemis occurred during the January transfer window earlier this year. As reported by OneFootball, Celtic had established a financial agreement worth £6 million with Frosinone. However, the proposed transaction was ultimately halted by the player himself.

Speaking in an interview with Radio Sportiva, Frosinone Sporting Director Piero Doronzo detailed the circumstances surrounding the rejected January offer. As reported by Radio Sportiva, Piero Doronzo stated:

“There was a genuine possibility that Ghedjemis could leave in January after a very important offer came in from Celtic. The President always says Frosinone is not a prison, so he wanted to hear what the player had to say. Farès replied: ‘No, I want to stay at Frosinone and win the league.’ It was a risk, but his intentions and the courage of the club to turn down that money were rewarded.”

Ghedjemis remained in Italy for the remainder of the campaign, helping Frosinone secure promotion to Serie A. Over the course of the season, the winger registered 15 goals and three assists in 37 appearances across all competitions.

How Has the Player’s Market Value Changed Since January?

Following Frosinone’s promotion and Ghedjemis’s subsequent call-up to the Algerian national team for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the player’s financial valuation has increased substantially.

As reported by OneFootball, Piero Doronzo further noted:

“As of today, his transfer value has doubled, and he was decisive for us.”

Current estimations from European media outlets put Frosinone’s evaluation of the player at approximately £8 million (€15 million).

The player’s existing contract with the Italian club runs through June 2028, placing Frosinone in a firm negotiating position regarding any potential sale.

What Is the Background of This Particular Development?

The transfer pursuit of Farès Ghedjemis occurs against the backdrop of both Glasgow clubs seeking to rebuild and fortify their attacking lines ahead of the 2026–27 season.

Celtic originally identified Ghedjemis during their mid-season scouting operations in late 2025, targeting his pace, directness, and conversion rate on the wing. At that time, Frosinone were embroiled in a tight promotion race in Serie B.

Although the two clubs reached an agreement on transfer fee structures, Ghedjemis elected to prioritize immediate sporting continuity in Italy over a mid-season transition to the Scottish Premiership.

Following the conclusion of the Italian season in May, Frosinone achieved their target of returning to Serie A. Ghedjemis’s contributions throughout the campaign further elevated his profile across European football, culminating in his selection for Algeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad.

Upon the reopening of the summer transfer window, Italian media links initially associated Rangers with an exploratory inquiry for the winger to replace outgoing wide players.

This prompt response from Celtic’s recruitment department re-established the Parkhead club’s longstanding interest, creating a public dynamic between both Old Firm clubs for the player’s signature.

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How Could This Transfer Development Affect the Particular Audience?

The resolution of Farès Ghedjemis’s transfer situation carries distinct implications for Celtic, Rangers, Frosinone, and their respective supporter bases.

If Celtic successfully finalize a deal for Ghedjemis, it would represent a significant financial investment of around £8 million, reinforcing the squad’s attacking depth for both domestic title defense and European competitions. Securing a long-term target who previously turned down a move would provide tactical variation on the flanks.

Conversely, failing to secure the player after public confirmation from the manager could lead to frustration among supporters regarding transfer execution in priority positions.

For Rangers, the focus appears to have shifted toward alternative targets such as Amario Cozier-Duberry. Should Celtic complete the signing of Ghedjemis, Rangers supporters will expect the club’s recruitment hierarchy to deliver comparable quality in the wide areas to remain competitive in the Premiership title race.

However, if Rangers elect to re-enter negotiations for Ghedjemis, it could reignite a direct financial bidding battle between the two rivals.

For Frosinone, retaining Ghedjemis provides a proven attacking asset for their return to Serie A. Alternatively, selling the winger at his current peak valuation of £8 million would yield substantial financial capital, allowing the Italian club to reinvest in multiple areas of their squad ahead of a challenging top-flight campaign.