Landon Emenalo of Chelsea looks on during The FA Youth Cup 5th Round match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Leigh Sports Village on February 12, 2025. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)
The 18-year-old visited Lennoxtown earlier this week as Celtic advanced talks over a season-long loan deal, with Martin O’Neill keen to add competition for Kieran Tierney at left-back.
Emenalo had emerged as Celtic’s preferred option following the decision not to bring Marcelo Saracchi back for another season.
However, the Daily Record reports that the proposed move is now up in the air after rival offers emerged for the Chelsea prospect.
The fact Emenalo had already completed a medical underlines how far Celtic had progressed with the deal, but O’Neill now faces a waiting game to discover whether the move will go through.
Saracchi provided reliable cover for Tierney last season, making 32 appearances, and replacing the Uruguayan has been one of Celtic’s priorities this summer.
Any agreement for Emenalo would be a straight season-long loan without an option to buy.
The teenager has previously operated in midfield but has featured at left-back in recent weeks under new Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso, adding to his versatility.
Celtic have already enjoyed a busy week in the transfer market, confirming the arrivals of Haissem Hassan and Mika Baur.
There could also be significant movement in the opposite direction, with Arne Engels closing in on a move to West Ham and Reo Hatate also expected to leave.
O’Neill is still looking to add another goalkeeper and midfielder before the window closes, but Celtic must now wait to discover whether Emenalo will also be part of his revamped squad.
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