The winger is currently on loan at Hapoel Petah Tikva from Hapoel Petah Tikva until he end of the season
Celtic are considering an offer for rising Ivory Coast winger Jocelin Ta Bi – but will have to negotiate a deal with two Israeli clubs. Belgian club Gent are also on alert.
Wilfried Nancy is in dire need of recruits with the Hoops set to embark on a hectic January transfer window. The Scottish champions are attempting to claw back Hearts’ lead at the top of the Premiership table.
Reports in Israel have indicated they have claimed forward Ta Bi, who is valued at £500,000, is on the agenda. The youngster signed for Maccabi Netanya last year after impressing for another Israeli club Beitar Tubruk.
He was sent on loan at the start of this season until June at Hapoel Petah Tikva and has provided three assists and scored twice in 12 league starts this season. The player is currently sidelined with an ankle injury, but is expected to be back in the next couple of weeks.
But Celtic would have to do a deal with his parent club and compensate his loan club too if they were to complete the transfer next month. Reports in Israel have suggested Celtic are leading the race, with Gent also interested.
And Hapoel Petah Tikva boss Omer Peretz was quizzed about Celtic’s interest in their loan star ahead of their Israeli Cup game against Hapoel Ironi Karmiel today.
He said: “At things stand, we have received no indication from Maccabi Netanya about an offer for Jocelin and he remains our player. We would also have a say in the matter because he is contracted to us until the end of the season.”
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