Mehdi Ghayedi is now back in Iran with Estaghlal after Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic looked into a £3.5 million deal for the talented attacking midfielder, per Varzesh3.
On Thursday night, the news emerged that Sead Haksabanovic – a player reported to have been turned down by Celtic earlier in the window – was on his way to Parkhead after all. Available for a cut-price £4 million after Rubin Kazan’s relegation, the former West Ham United youngster could undergo a medical in Glasgow before the week is out.
And another right-footed left-winger linked with the Scottish Premiership champions is making a move of his own.
According to reports from the Middle East, Celtic made numerous approaches for Ghayedi during the January window. They were even willing to pay £3.5 million, with Postecoglou an admirer of his versatility and skill.
And while the Celtic boss would never confirm his interest, he did admit that the Iranian market was one worth looking into.
Celtic go from Mehdi Ghayedi to Sead Haksabanovic
“Kyogo Furuhashi, for me, can play at the highest level,” he tells Optus Sport. “(Japan) is an untapped market.
“I go beyond Japan, I think Asian players in general; There’s players from Iran and Saudi (Arabia) that you think they could play in Europe very easily. Top talents.”
That ‘top talent’ wasn’t glimpsed all too frequently, however, during Ghayedi’s time at Shabab Al Ahli in Dubai. After scoring just four times in 22 games, he is now back in Iran; Re-joining Estaghlal on loan in an attempt to recapture the form that caught Celtic’s eye in the first place.
“It is a very good feeling that I returned to my home after a year,” says the 23-year-old.
“I hope that, like last year when the kids gave their all and were able to make Esteghlal the champion, this year we will be able to win and make the hearts of the fans happy.”
But while the Ghayedi door closes for Celtic, a window of opportunity is swinging open for Sead Haksabanovic.
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