Celtic transfer fallout as Kike Salas 'rejects' move and Mathias Kvistgaarden breaks silence on near miss

Spanish prospect Kike Salas rejected the chance to sign for Celtic according to Sevilla's sporting director.

Brendan Rodgers had a hectic finish to the transfer window with Luis Palma and Paulo Bernardo boosting their options in midfield and attack while Nat Phillips was drafted in on an initial six-month loan from Liverpool to bolster the defence. But prior to a move for the English centre-back, Sevilla sporting director Victor Orta now claims Salas was an option.

He says the La Liga giants and Europa League champions were prepared to allow 21-year-old prospect Salas to go to Glasgow on loan, but he opted to stay. Salas made his La Liga debut last year and was rewarded with a new contract until 2026 before being sent on loan to second tier side Tenerife last season. And Orta has stated the player turned down the chance of a move to Glasgow.

He said: "We have many young players who will be very good, but we have to be patient about their development. Kike Salas is a great example of a kid who has come through our youth system and many teams wanted him on loan.

"I had practically every team in the second division asking for him and he also had the chance to go to top foreign teams like Celtic and Red Bull Salzburg, but didn't. So he is very valued and we need to show more faith in these players. We can't be talking about home-grown talent and, when the home-grown talent plays, always questioning them."

Meanwhile former target Mathias Kvistgaarden has broken his silence on interest from the Hoops - and insists he won't sulk after a potential move collapsed. The Brondby striker was reportedly the subject of a £4.1 million bid from Celtic last week before the transfer window closed, but the Danish club wouldn't budge on