Roberto Martinez’s agent has distanced the Portugal boss from the Celtic manager vacancy, as a major summer overhaul continues at Parkhead.
Dermot Desmond’s discussions with Martin O’Neill, who led Celtic to the Premiership and Scottish Cup last season, and other managerial candidates have been pushed back to next week.
While fans await a decision, Martinez has consistently featured among the bookmakers’ frontrunners for the role, alongside Robbie Keane and Wales boss Craig Bellamy.
The Spaniard has a long-standing relationship with current No. 2 Shaun Maloney, who has been heavily linked with a new sporting director role at the club.
Martinez previously signed Maloney at Wigan before bringing him in as a coach for Belgium, and Maloney confirmed earlier this season that he has held talks with his mentor.
Maloney insisted, however, that those conversations centred on the upcoming World Cup in North America rather than any potential move to Parkhead.
Premier League legend Gareth Barry believes the former Everton boss will be keen to return to club management once his contract expires following the tournament.
Barry told Action Network: “Roberto Martinez will be looking forward to getting back into full-time management, as he loves the game and the day-to-day training.”
He added: “His training methods are fantastic, and his style of play is great. If Celtic secure Roberto Martinez, it would be a great coup.”
Barry continued: “He is capable of helping Celtic move past the worries of almost not winning a league title this year and implementing a style of football the fans will love. It would be a good move all around.”
Despite the speculation, Martinez’s representative Jesse De Preter has poured cold water on talk of an imminent deal, telling Celts Are Here: “There was no direct contact at all.”
While the managerial picture remains unresolved, Celtic appear to be pushing forward with their summer recruitment plans across the squad.
Frosinone winger Fares Ghedjemis is reportedly back on Celtic’s agenda after the club failed to land him during the January transfer window.
Ghedjemis impressed last term by netting 15 times to help his side secure promotion to Serie A, with Tutto Mercato Web reporting Celtic are “still interested” in a deal.
The Italian club would reportedly only part with their key player for a “truly irresistible offer” understood to be in the region of £13 million.
Ghedjemis himself has hinted at a desire to remain and test himself in Serie A, saying in an interview with FIFA: “Mine has been an atypical path, with few certainties and many obstacles. I tried to achieve my goal by relying solely on my own strength.”
He added: “My passion for football is everything to me, and finding myself playing in Serie A was an indescribable feeling.”
ETO Gyor wide man Milán Vitalis is also reportedly on Celtic’s shopping list, with Hungarian outlet Csakfoci reporting the player “may sign for Celtic” amid rising interest from Scotland.
Speaking after ETO beat Ferencvaros to the Hungarian title, Vitalis suggested he was ready for a step up: “I am confident that I was able to deliver a performance that will allow me to move forward.”
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