Shabab Al Ahli decided against selling star man Mehdi Ghayedi to Celtic despite the Scottish Premiership giants showing a desire to pay £3.5 million for the Iran international, according to Varzesh3.
Shabab Al Alhi and Celtic have a lot in common right now.
Both clubs are playing catch-up in an enthralling title race. And, with silverware in their sighs, both clubs also saw the January transfer window as the ideal time to make a statement.
For Celtic, that meant adding some flesh to a squad which, thanks to a relentless series of injuries, has been down to the bare bones for some time now.
For Shabab Al Ahli, however, such a statement could be made, not by signing, but by refusing to sell.
Will Celtic return for Mehdi Ghayedi in the next transfer window?
According to Varzesh3, Ange Postecoglou was desperate to bring the twinkle-toed Ghayedi to Parkhead before Monday’s transer deadline.
Celtic, trailing rivals Rangers by two points ahead of this week’s Old Firm derby, even told Shabab Al Ahli that they were willing to pay a fee in excess of £3.5 million.
The Glasgow giants approached the UAE-based outfit on three separate occasions to enquire about their pint-sized playmaker.
The Red Knights are currently third in the UAE Pro League. There are seven points separating them from Al Ain in top spot.
A sizeable gap, yes, but not an insurmountable one.
After Celtic made their move, the Shabab bosses put their heads together, along with head coach Mehdi Ali, and decided that this was hardly the opportune time to cash in on a man who is only a few months into the five-year contract he signed back in August.
Come the summer, Shabab Al Ahli will be more recipient to offers. Whether Celtic will still be keen come June or July, well, we’ll have to wait and see.
A versatile attacker who can play on both wings, a move for Ghayedi may depend on what the future holds for the likes of Mikey Johnstone.
Or whether Filipe Jota finally completes a permanent move to the Glasgow giants.
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