Celtic’s move to land Maccabi Netanya winger Jocelin Ta Bi for £2m during the January transfer window now looks close to breaking down.
The report states that this development has brought negotiations to a halt, with the club now assessing alternative options to strengthen their wide areas instead of pursuing Ta Bi.
Martin O’Neill, who guided the Hoops to a 4-0 victory over Dundee United in his first game back in charge, is yet to make his own signing, following Julian Araujo’s arrival under Wilfried Nancy.
Celtic in talks to sign new winger for O’Neill:
Despite the setback surrounding Ta Bi, the experienced Northern Irish manager could still be closing in on his first addition, as Celtic continue their search for another wide player.
According to The Herald, Celtic may opt to revisit a move for Ta Bi in the summer and have already identified an alternative who could arrive on a short-term basis.
The report claims the Hoops are currently in discussions with Brazilian outfit Red Bull Bragantino over a potential deal to bring Ignacio Laquintana to Parkhead during the January window.
It adds that the Uruguay international is eager to make the move to the Scottish Premiership champions, with talks believed to be ongoing over a loan switch until the end of the season.
The Herald also notes that Preston North End have shown interest in Celtic winger Hyun-jun Yang, though it remains uncertain whether his situation is linked to any potential deal for Laquintana.
Why Celtic should sign Ignacio Laquintana:
Celtic would be wise to push ahead and finalise a deal for the Red Bull Bragantino winger in the coming days or weeks, as he could prove to be an even stronger acquisition than Ta Bi.
Even if the 20-year-old were fully fit and available, Ta Bi would still represent a gamble, as Transfermarkt shows he has featured in just 12 matches above Israel’s second tier and has scored only two top-flight goals in his career.
He remains a raw talent who would likely require time to settle and adapt to Scottish football, particularly as he is still finding his feet at senior level.
Laquintana, by contrast, is a 26-year-old attacker entering his prime, with recent experience in the top divisions of both Uruguay and Brazil.
The winger registered four goals and six assists across all competitions during the 2025 campaign for Bragantino, according to Sofascore, marking the most productive season of his career and suggesting Celtic would be recruiting him at an ideal moment.
Stats
Laquintana (2025 Brasileiro)
Appearances
23
Starts
13
Goals
4
Big chances missed
1
Big chances created
4
Assists
3
Cross accuracy
16%
Possession lost per game
6.7x
Stats via Sofascore
As shown above, Laquintana contributed to seven goals from just 13 starts in the 2025 Brasileiro, underlining his ability to make an impact even without being a guaranteed starter. That could be key given Yang’s recent return of two goals in his last three outings, which may see him retain a regular starting role.
Those numbers also highlight that Laquintana scored twice as many top-flight league goals in 2025 alone as Ta Bi has managed across his entire career so far, reinforcing the view that he would be a lower-risk addition this month due to his greater experience and output.
With Hearts and Rangers both in the title picture, Celtic require players capable of making an immediate impact in the second half of the campaign if they are to reclaim the Premiership crown.
For that reason, opting for a seasoned winger like Laquintana, who is coming off the best season of his senior career, rather than gambling on a young and unproven option such as Ta Bi, appears a sensible approach.
As a result, O’Neill’s squad may be better served in the short term by securing Laquintana on loan instead of committing to a permanent move for Ta Bi during the January transfer window.