Celtic's £20m chase: why Gvidas Gineitis could replace Engels

£20m‑rated Belgian midfielder Arne Engels is attracting interest from Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace and AS Roma, prompting Celtic to launch a search for his successor. The Scottish club is keeping close tabs on 22‑year‑old Lithuanian Gvidas Gineitis, who has impressed in Serie A with Torino.

Gineitis progressed through the NFA Kaunas academy before earning senior status in Lithuania’s second division. He then joined Atmosfera in the I Lyga, and his calmness in midfield earned a high‑profile move to Serie B side SPAL in the summer of 2020.

After only featuring at youth level for SPAL, Gineitis switched to top‑flight Torino on the winter deadline day in January 2022. A brief spell with the U‑19s preceded his promotion to the first team, where he has made 80 appearances across competitions.

He started 25 of his 31 league outings last season, cementing a key role alongside Nikola Vlasic and Cesare Casadei. Although he has three years left on his Il Toro contract, his agent Dmitry Vinokurov said, “There have already been expressions of interest from other clubs, which is natural considering his age, performance, and potential. If an interesting offer were to arrive for both Torino and Gvidas, it would certainly be carefully evaluated.”

Celtic hierarchy rewarded veteran Martin O’Neill with a permanent contract after delivering a domestic double, but O’Neill reiterated the necessity of a squad overhaul. The only winter signing was Alex Oxlade‑Chamberlain, who arrived on a Bosman and is now expected to leave without a 12‑month extension.

Midfield concerns persist as Reo Hatate has asked to leave and Paulo Bernardo is not in O’Neill’s plans, while Engels’ likely departure would leave the midfield thin. Benjamin Nygren enjoyed a spectacular campaign but is more suited to an advanced playmaker role.

Gineitis is praised for his physical and aerial dominance, stamina and work rate, excelling at breaking up play, blocking channels and reclaiming possession. His passing, through balls and shooting as a number 8 should see him slot deep alongside Callum McGregor.

It remains to be seen whether a move to Glasgow will fascinate the Lithuanian midfielder this summer.