“They made inadequate offers” – Celtic and Rangers accused of dishonesty over transfer

Celtic and Rangers were in the hunt for Frosinone’s Fares Ghedjemis in the summer. More details about their approaches have now emerged.

Sport Witness closely covered how the Hoops were the first to approach the Italian side in January. The player rejected the move, as he was keen to help Frosinone earn promotion to Serie A.

He successfully did that and as well as Celtic, Rangers also made an offer to sign him in the summer. They put forward €10m for the deal, with their Glasgow rivals having offered €6m some days ago.

This was rejected by Frosinone, who managed to hold on to the player despite Monaco’s late push for the deal.

President reveals transfer details

Frosinone president Maurizio Stirpe spoke to the press yesterday evening, focusing mainly on Ghedjemis’ situation.

He clarified that the club’s Clara Vista ownership wanted to keep him. Otherwise, the Algerian would’ve been sold, and would likely have ended up at Ibrox or Celtic Park.

He said – via TuttoFrosinone: “As for Ghedjemis, if it were up to me, I would have sold him. We wouldn’t have had the opportunity to keep a player like that. Ghedjemis stayed at Frosinone because, stubbornly, Clara Vista wanted him to stay. We owe them all that he stayed.”

“The welcome we saw from the fans at the stadium is pleasing, but the relationship needs to be rebuilt properly and on a more solid foundation.”

Stirpe also opened up about the approaches from the likes of Celtic and Rangers and how much Frosinone wanted for the winger.

He said:  “Other clubs, like Rangers, Celtic, and Besiktas, haven’t been as honest, and when they approached us, they made inadequate offers. If we didn’t sell Ghedjemis in January for €6m, why would we do it in Serie A for €9m? Who owns his contract?”

Stripe accused the Scottish clubs and Besiktas of trying to convince the player before speaking to Frosinone.

“They should come to us and ask if he’s available, instead of feeding the boy ideas that will make him no longer listen to the offers of that club, which, let’s remember, is the architect of his success. Recognition is deserved, because affection and love must always be mutual.”

The Italian also said that even Monaco didn’t approach the transfer in the right way.

“Then, there are the other clubs’ non-transparent behaviours: instead of coming to us to ask for the player, they approached the player first to reach an agreement with him. We don’t agree with this.

“I spoke with the Monaco executives, who didn’t do what they told us. The official offers were never as stated, which were in any case insufficient, and I didn’t even show them to our partners.”

Player will leave in the future

Ghedjemis has now been reinstated into the club’s project. Now that he is playing in Serie A, his value will go up and he will leave at some point.

Celtic and Rangers have missed out on a big chance to sign him, though. The 24-year-old could be beyond their reach if he does well this season.

His value was more affordable in the summer and it will reach new heights soon.