Ghedjemis Chooses Celtic as Old Firm Rivalry Heats Up

The first shots in this season’s Old Firm battle may not be flying in on the pitch, but they are already landing in the transfer market.

Fares Ghedjemis, the winger coveted by both Celtic and Rangers, has reportedly made up his mind. The Algeria international now favours a move to Celtic, with fresh talks over his future scheduled within the next 48 hours.

That preference instantly sharpens the edges of an already tense summer in Glasgow.

Celtic’s slow burn, Rangers’ fast start

Celtic’s window has taken time to catch fire. After a sluggish opening, the arrival of Bodo/Glimt striker Kasper Hogh, following Camilo Duran through the door, has offered some relief. It still feels like only the start. A raft of departures from Parkhead this summer has left the champions needing numbers as well as quality.

Across the city, Rangers have gone for volume. Eight new signings are already in for Derek McInnes, the new man in the Ibrox dugout. The rebuild is bold, but not yet convincing. The opening-day Scottish Premiership draw with Dundee United underlined that this team may take time to find its rhythm.

It is not the launch McInnes wanted. The former Hearts boss is chasing more than just a solid season; he wants payback. Celtic and Martin O’Neill ripped the title from Rangers’ grasp on the final day of last season, and that sting still lingers.

Celtic, for their part, hardly roared out of the blocks either. A laboured 1-0 win over Dundee brought three points, but not many answers.

This title race looks like it could be long, attritional, and unforgiving. And now the two clubs are running into each other off the pitch as well.

A tug-of-war for Ghedjemis

Ghedjemis has emerged as a central figure in that off-field contest.

According to Celts Are Here, the 23-year-old’s stance has shifted. Having previously opted to stay at Frosinone, he is now open to joining Celtic and, crucially, is said to prefer Parkhead over a move to Rangers.

Celtic know this player well. In January, they had a €6m bid accepted by Frosinone, only for Ghedjemis to turn down the move and commit to helping the Italian club secure promotion to Serie A. He delivered on that promise, playing his part as Frosinone climbed into the top flight.

Promotion has changed the landscape. With Serie A football on the table, Frosinone have raised his price and hardened their stance. They believe the chance to face Italy’s elite should be enough to keep him where he is.

Rangers have already tested that resolve more aggressively than Celtic. An £8m offer from Ibrox has been rejected, but it underlines their willingness to push the financial limits to get the deal done.

For Celtic, that is a problem. To land a player they once had within reach, they would now need to significantly improve on their January offer and step into a bidding war they did not want to start.

Preference vs price

The equation is clear and awkward for both sides.

Celtic appear to have the advantage where it matters most to supporters: the player’s heart. If Ghedjemis truly prefers Parkhead, that can tilt negotiations, unsettle rivals and give the champions a powerful card to play.

Rangers, though, have shown they are prepared to go higher on the fee. In a market where Frosinone hold the contract and the leverage of Serie A football, hard cash still speaks the loudest.

And the Old Firm pair are not alone. Clubs from France, Spain and Italy are also tracking the winger. Every new suitor nudges the price up and strengthens Frosinone’s hand.

The next 48 hours will be critical. Fresh talks are planned, and both Glasgow clubs are waiting for clarity on what it will take to prise Ghedjemis away.

Frosinone dig in

From Frosinone’s perspective, the timing could hardly be worse. They have just fought their way into Serie A and are in no mood to lose one of their standout players before a ball is kicked in anger.

They want to stay in the division. To do that, they want Ghedjemis on the pitch, not on someone else’s team sheet.

So the message is firm: any club that wants him will have to pay. Handsomely.

That leaves Celtic trying to turn the player’s preference into a decisive factor, and Rangers weighing up how far they are willing to stretch in a window where they have already been aggressive.

One club has the edge in his mind. The other has so far shown the greater appetite to spend. Frosinone hold the contract and the clock.

In a title race that already feels like it could go the distance, which Glasgow giant blinks first in this transfer standoff may say plenty about how the rest of their season unfolds.