'Understand...' - Journalist drops Celtic transfer news concerning £15k-p/w ace after talks held

Celtic’s Boli Bolingoli has agreed terms with FC Ufa ahead of the Russian transfer deadline on Tuesday, according to Pete O’Rourke. 

The Belgian full-back joined Celtic from Austrian outfit Rapid Vienna in the summer of 2019 for a fee of  £3m. He signed a four-year, £15,000-per-week contract on arrival and hasn’t penned an extension since, so his deal now has less than 18 months to run.

Bolingoli, who spent the 2020/21 season on loan in Turkey with Istanbul Basaksehir, has only made 31 appearances for the Hoops overall. His estimated transfer value has now fallen to just £1.35m (via Transfermarkt).

O’Rourke tweeted the news about the Belgian on Monday afternoon, outlining: “Understand Celtic defender Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo has agreed a deal to join FC Ufa before the Russian transfer window closes.”

After the player held successful talks with FC Ufa, the next step would be his suitor agreeing an acceptable fee with Celtic. The Russian transfer window is due to close just before midnight tonight.

Celtic can certainly afford to let Bolingoli go. He has only made the matchday squad for three Premiership fixtures, with his only appearances coming in the 1-0 defeat to Livingston and the 2-0 win at Motherwell in the autumn.

Greg Taylor would appear to be Ange Postecoglou’s first-choice on the left side of defence, while the 56-year-old has also used centre-back Liam Scales and right-back Josip Juranovic there. Therefore, he won’t feel that this deal would leave him short of options.

The fact that Celtic are willing to part with Bolingoli in February, when he can’t be immediately replaced, shows just how far he has fallen down the pecking order.

In other news, Celtic face Premier League competition for this transfer target

Source