​If a recent report from French outlet Foot Mercato is accurate, Celtic are keeping a close eye on Mory Gbane ahead of a potential summer raid. They are not alone in the pursuit, with English Championship side West Ham United and Turkish powerhouse Trabzonspor also pursuing the Stade de Reims midfielder. The 25-year-old Ivory Coast international first drew attention while featuring for Stade d’Abidjan in the Ivorian second division. He then moved to Croatian side BSK Bijelo Brdo in 2019, where he continued to impress as a central midfielder. Russian top-flight club Khimki loaned him for the 2022-23 season and eventually sanctioned a temporary switch to Portuguese side Gil Vicente, before making the move permanent for €250k in the summer of 2023.
Gilistas subsequently paid €1.50m to bring him to Barcelos for the 2024-25 campaign, but Reims presented an offer of about €5m in February. The French club endured relegation heartbreak in the playoffs, narrowly missing promotion last season after finishing sixth in Ligue 2. Gbane has retained his starting berth since arriving in France, yet he could seek a new opportunity, with Reims seemingly open to selling their prized midfielder.
Celtic have a storied recent history of transforming their fortunes under manager Martin O’Neill, who steered them to domestic glory in a dramatic late-season surge. Yet the veteran Northern Irish coach has also highlighted the need for reinforcements across the squad and recently ensured Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain remains for at least another year following a brief loan spell.
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – MAY 16: Callum McGregor of Celtic interacts with teammate Arne Engels during the William Hill Premiership match between Celtic and Heart of Midlothian at Celtic Park on May 16, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Meanwhile, the Hoops could undergo a comprehensive midfield overhaul amid ongoing uncertainties surrounding the futures of several first-team players. They rejected Nottingham Forest’s extravagant bid for Arne Engels in the winter window, but holding onto the Belgian could prove difficult as clubs circle for his signature. Recent speculation about Callum McGregor’s future has intensified after the skipper switched agents and signed with Unique Sports Group, the agency also representing former Bhoys boss Brendan Rodgers. Paulo Bernardo and Reo Hatate, both outside O’Neill’s current plans, are expected to depart sooner rather than later.
Celtic are pursuing multiple targets, including Torino’s Lithuania-born midfielder Gvidas Gineitis. To secure the necessary reinforcements, they may need to land several players, and Gbane’s profile makes him a particularly attractive option. Gbane is widely lauded for his defensive dominance, combining robust tackling with tenacious front-foot defending, physical presence, and strong aerial ability. He also possesses the capability to orchestrate play from deeper positions, acting as a deep-lying playmaker who can initiate attacking build-ups from the back. His ball-winning prowess, combined with his capacity to distribute and drive play forward, would slot neatly into O’Neill’s system and provide a tangible spark to Celtic’s midfield dynamics.
If Celtic manage to land Gbane, he could fill a crucial role as a stabilising force in front of the back line, breaking up opposition transitions and laying the groundwork for rapid forward movements. His ability to shield the defense, win duels, and transition the ball quickly would complement Celtic’s attacking ethos, allowing wingers and forwards to press higher with the assurance that the midfield is secure. Gbane’s versatility—able to operate as a defensive screen, a metronome in possession, or a more advanced influence in the engine room—could grant O’Neill a wider array of tactical options.
Football’s market beyond Gbane remains fluid, with Reims’ openness to selling, and interest from West Ham and Trabzonspor underscoring the wide-ranging attention Gbane has attracted. Celtic’s challenge will be to strike a deal that aligns with their financial parameters while presenting the Ivory Coast international with a compelling case for a move that could elevate both his career trajectory and the club’s ambitions in domestic and European competition.
In tandem with Gbane, Celtic’s recruitment drive is expected to target several more players, including Torino’s Gineitis, in what could amount to a strategic, multi-pronged overhaul of the midfield. The club will be hoping to build a more versatile, durable, and dynamic engine room, capable of sustaining pressure across multiple competitions and maintaining their title aspirations in both domestic and continental campaigns.