Celtic and Newcastle United were both linked with late moves for defenders before the October deadline, with one target in common.
Their plans to add a centre back seemingly hinged on others leaving; if Kristoffer Ajer or Fabian Schar had moved on, maybe they would have brought in a new signing.
Sampdoria’s Omar Colley was one player linked with both clubs, right up until the window closed earlier this month.
In September, Samp News 24 reported that Celtic are particularly keen on signing Colley, with talks opened over a deal for the Gambian – but it all depended on AC Milan signing Kristoffer Ajer, which didn’t happen.
Later that month, Tuttomercatoweb claimed that Newcastle were very interested in Colley, and even tried to sign him in January, keeping him on their radar.
The 28-year-old may have wished he got his move, as he has recently been dropped to the bench by Claudio Ranieri in favour of Maya Yoshida and Lorenzo Tonelli.
On Tuesday night, Colley was back in the Sampdoria side, starting as they beat Salernitana 1-0 in the third round of the Coppa Italia – his first start in a month.
That will have been a relief for Colley, but with a big game coming up against rivals Genoa, he may well be back on the bench this Sunday.
If he continues to be on the bench, a January move will surely become a possibility – and Celtic and Newcastle should be keeping tabs on his situation ahead of a potential deal in 2021.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
