“Celtic make decision on Tiémoué Bakayoko transfer”

Celtic have decided not to offer Tiémoué Bakayoko a contract after gaining greater clarity over the former Chelsea midfielder’s recent presence at the club.

Reports earlier on Friday suggested that Celtic had been assessing the 32-year-old during the international break, prompting speculation that manager Martin O’Neill could potentially bring the experienced midfielder into his squad despite the closure of the transfer window.

However, that speculation has now been put to rest.

It is understood that Bakayoko was not at Celtic as part of an official trial. Instead, the Frenchman had been using the club’s facilities as a base to continue his fitness work while he looks for his next opportunity.

As a result, Celtic have no plans to offer the midfielder a contract.

Bakayoko has been without a club since leaving Greek outfit PAOK in July 2025 and has been attempting to maintain his physical condition while considering his next career move. His extended period away from competitive football was always likely to be an important consideration for any club interested in signing him.

Tiemoue Bakayoko of A. C. Milan during the Serie A match at Allianz Stadium.

Indeed, the midfielder has not played a competitive match since 10 November 2024. That means a considerable amount of time has passed since he last featured in a meaningful fixture, creating obvious questions over how quickly he could return to the intensity and demands of first-team football.

For Celtic, that lack of recent competitive action appears to have been an important factor in deciding against pursuing a deal.

Bakayoko had previously spoken to Celtic

The latest development is not the first time Bakayoko has been linked with a move to Parkhead.

The midfielder previously held discussions with Celtic in February as the club considered adding another experienced player to its midfield options.

However, Celtic ultimately chose a different route and signed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain instead.

Bakayoko’s experience would undoubtedly have made him an interesting option for O’Neill, particularly given his extensive career at the highest level of European football.

The midfielder made his name at Monaco before securing a major transfer to Chelsea in 2017. The Premier League club paid approximately £40 million to bring him to Stamford Bridge, underlining the reputation he had built during the early stages of his career.

He has subsequently played for a number of notable clubs, including AC Milan, Napoli, Lorient and Rennes.

The former France international has therefore accumulated considerable experience across some of Europe’s biggest leagues and competitions.

That background may have made the possibility of a short-term move to Celtic appealing, particularly with O’Neill looking for players capable of adding greater physical presence and experience to his midfield.

Celtic need more midfield strength

Celtic’s decision comes at a time when the club has faced growing questions about the balance and strength of its midfield.

O’Neill’s team have struggled physically in recent matches against Rangers, with the Hoops being overpowered during defeats to their Old Firm rivals.

Those performances have prompted calls for Celtic to add more strength and authority around captain Callum McGregor.

On paper, Bakayoko could have offered some of the characteristics Celtic have been missing.

The 32-year-old is a physically imposing midfielder with extensive experience of playing at the top level. His ability to provide additional strength in the centre of the pitch could therefore have appeared attractive to a Celtic side looking for greater physicality.

However, the reality of Bakayoko’s current situation is more complicated.

Although his experience remains significant, he has not played competitive football for a prolonged period. Signing a player who has been away from meaningful matches for almost a year would carry an obvious element of risk.

Celtic would have had to determine how much time Bakayoko would require to regain match sharpness and whether he could immediately contribute at the level required.

Free-agent status offered flexibility

One factor working in Bakayoko’s favour was his availability as a free agent.

Because he is currently unattached, Celtic would have been able to sign him outside the conventional transfer window for domestic football.

That flexibility meant the club could theoretically have added another midfielder without waiting until the next transfer period.

However, there would have been an important restriction if Celtic had decided to pursue the move.

Bakayoko would not have been eligible to play for the club in the Europa League until the next UEFA registration window.

That would have limited his immediate usefulness for European fixtures, particularly at a time when Celtic are competing across multiple fronts.

The club would therefore have needed to weigh his potential domestic contribution against his lack of recent competitive football and his European ineligibility.

No Celtic move for Bakayoko

Ultimately, Celtic have decided that bringing Bakayoko to Parkhead is not the right move at this stage.

The midfielder’s time at the club during the international break was primarily about maintaining his fitness rather than completing a formal trial.

That distinction is significant because his use of Celtic’s facilities had initially generated speculation that O’Neill was considering adding him to the squad.

Those hopes have now been ruled out.

Bakayoko will instead continue his search for a new club after spending months without competitive football.

For Celtic, the focus will turn back to strengthening the squad in other ways, particularly as O’Neill looks for greater physical presence and resilience in midfield.

Despite Bakayoko’s impressive CV and the fact that he remains a free agent, Celtic have concluded that his current circumstances do not justify a contract offer.

The former Chelsea midfielder will therefore not be joining the Hoops, with his recent visit to Celtic’s facilities ultimately proving to be fitness-related rather than the beginning of a potential transfer.