NafisaCeltic and Rangers both went searching for attacking reinforcements last summer, but one highly sought-after winger has now explained why neither Scottish giant managed to secure his signature.
The Old Firm clubs were reportedly prepared to invest heavily in a player they believed could strengthen their attacking options. With competition for quality wide players intensifying, the pursuit of a promising talent from Italian football developed into a significant transfer story.
However, despite the interest and reported bids reaching £9 million, the two Glasgow clubs were unable to persuade Frosinone to part with their prized asset.
Rather than force a move elsewhere, the Italian club opted to make their own case for his future, offering improved terms and presenting a vision of where they wanted to go next. That ambition appears to have played a decisive role in keeping their star at the club.
Now, Fares Ghedjemis has explained why he chose to remain at Frosinone instead of pursuing a move to Celtic or Rangers, insisting that the club’s plans convinced him to commit his future to the Serie A side.
Frosinone’s ambition proved decisive
Ghedjemis became a player in demand during the summer transfer window, with Celtic and Rangers both reportedly making approaches for the Algeria international.
The winger’s performances had attracted attention, and the reported bids demonstrated the level of interest in securing his services. However, Frosinone were determined to retain the 24-year-old and rejected the offers that came their way.
The club subsequently offered Ghedjemis a new contract while outlining their ambition to establish themselves as a major force. Rather than focusing solely on the immediate opportunity to move, the forward says he considered what Frosinone wanted to achieve and decided that staying was the right choice.
Speaking ahead of Friday’s league match against Sassuolo, Ghedjemis explained his decision.
“The summer transfer window, it’s over,” said Ghedjemis ahead of Friday’s league match against Sassuolo. “I had my own ambition, but I spoke to the club, and they presented me with their new ambition of becoming a major club. I’m happy to have stayed and signed a new contract. Now I want to do well.
His comments suggest that Frosinone’s plans were central to the decision, rather than the move being simply a case of rejecting Scottish football.
For Celtic and Rangers, the outcome represents a missed opportunity to add another attacking option. Both clubs were looking to strengthen their squads, but Frosinone’s willingness to reject bids and offer a new deal ensured the player remained in Italy.
The winger also appears comfortable with the challenge of continuing his development in Serie A, where he believes the demands of the game are helping him mature.
Ghedjemis explains why he prefers Serie A
The Algeria international has also discussed how his game has evolved since arriving in Italy three years ago.
Having previously played in France’s third tier, Ghedjemis has experienced a considerable change in the level and intensity of competition. He believes the demands of Serie A have forced him to become more mature and make better decisions on the pitch.
“The differences with Serie B? I arrived three years ago as a young player from the French Serie C, while now I’m more mature. There’s a big difference in intensity: you have to make the right choices and there’s less room for error. I like this style of football better.
That assessment helps explain why the prospect of remaining in Italy appealed to him. While Celtic and Rangers could have offered a different environment and the opportunity to compete in Scottish football, Ghedjemis has chosen to continue testing himself in a league he enjoys.
His praise for Frosinone head coach Massimiliano Alvini also suggests that the relationship with the manager has played a role in his decision.
“Alvini is great coach, he wants the best for all the players and wants to help them grow. He has a winning spirit, he gives love to everyone and I like that.
“He wants to make me improve. Would I sign to finish the season with 10 goals? No, ten goals is a great achievement, but I don’t want to limit myself. I want to do my best.”
Ghedjemis is clearly setting his sights beyond a specific goals target, preferring to focus on maximising his contribution throughout the campaign. His ambition is consistent with a player who believes there is still plenty of room for improvement.
Frosinone’s position in the league has also given the project credibility, with the club sitting ninth in Serie A according to the supplied report. Their progress provides a platform for Ghedjemis to pursue his personal goals while contributing to the team’s wider ambitions.
Celtic and Rangers move on after transfer disappointment
Although neither Old Firm club secured Ghedjemis, both have since added options in wide areas.
Celtic strengthened their attacking ranks with the arrival of Haissem Hassan from Oviedo, while Rangers brought in Badredine Bouanani from Nice.
Those additions mean the Glasgow rivals have addressed their need for attacking reinforcements through alternative targets. Nevertheless, Ghedjemis’s comments offer an insight into why their pursuit ultimately failed.
The reported £9 million bids showed that the winger was attracting serious attention, but Frosinone were unwilling to let him go and made their own ambitions clear to the player.
Ultimately, Ghedjemis has chosen continuity, development and the opportunity to help build something at his current club over a move to Scotland.
For Celtic and Rangers, the search for attacking quality has continued elsewhere. For Frosinone, retaining a player who wants to be part of their project represents an important outcome from the summer window.
Nafisa
