TWTD understands that Town are close to confirming the return of Bersant Celina on loan.

TWTD revealed at the start of July that the Blues were targeting the former loanee, who is currently with French second division side Dijon, having moved there from Swansea in September last year.

Town had held protracted talks with the forward, who previously spent 2017/18 on loan at Portman Road from Manchester City, scoring eight times in 26 starts and 12 sub appearances, while a number of other clubs, understood to include Championship Hull City and Coventry City, as well as sides in the Dutch top flight, were also keen.

The chances of the move happening looked over when Celina developed the heart infection pericarditis in late July having contracted Covid a month earlier.

However, a fortnight ago his cardiologist gave the 24-year-old the all-clear to return to training in a few weeks’ time.

We understand the deal, Town’s 17th signing of the summer, is expected to be completed as soon as today with the transfer window set to close at 11pm tomorrow.

The Blues were initially looking at doing a permanent deal but ultimately a loan switch for the season has been agreed.

Kosovo-born Celina moved to Norway with his family aged two and was a youth player with Strømsgodset before joining Manchester City’s academy in 2012.

In 2016/17 he spent time with FC Twente in the Netherlands on loan, then moved to Town on the same basis the following season.

Celina left City for Swansea in the summer of 2018 for £3 million - having made one senior start and three sub appearances for the Citizens - and went on to make 65 starts and 14 sub appearances for the Swans, scoring 10 times, before being sold to Dijon for a reported £2.7 million in September 2020, signing a four-year contract.

During 2020/21, 5ft 11in tall Celina made 26 starts and seven sub appearances in all competitions for Dijon without finding the net as Les Hiboux were relegated from Ligue 1 having finished bottom.

Capped by Norway at U16, U17 and U21 levels, Celina subsequently switched allegiance to Kosovo for whom he has played U21 and senior games. He has now taken his full caps total to 29, scoring twice.

Photo: Matchday Images

London_Blue added 11:08 - Aug 30 Wickwar, please don't take offence to this, there's no other way to ask and I'm conscious that you represent many others feeling the same way, but have you played football yourself? At any level, if a brand new team comes together it's impossible to know how players will act when with or without the ball, despite obvious communication. Decisions are made in a split second and your succeed or fail on the ability of the team mates around you reading your next move. When PC says we need time to gel, this is what he means. The quality of the players signed have given the ability to score goals, something we were terrible at last season, it defensively we're not there yet. My only criticism of PC is his lack of investment in a strong leader at the back, everything else has been amazing in terms of new recruits

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Steelmonkey added 11:09 - Aug 30 Am I the only one that is not impressed with this, I hope I'm wrong, I really didn't think much of his last stint here. He is not going to be available to play for several weeks and it will be catch up time untill he is fully fit. So it could be November before we see him in the team. Does anyone know for certain that Bonne is definitely injured, it's rumoured he gone back to QPR. It'd be a big blow to lose him, is Celina a replacement?

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Europablue added 11:12 - Aug 30 In general, the whole club is very unsettled, but on the back of positive changes that needed to happen, and everything takes time to take effect. One thing that we have not lost, even though we have changed almost the entire team, is the nervousness we have when we get ahead. It's not really our fault, but when we take the lead the crowd has a collective expectation that we are going to concede and that is transferred to the players on the pitch as well. The only way to dispel that is for the players to deliver wins and change the crowd's expectation. Away fans often remark on how quiet we are and how poor our support is, but I know I'm sitting their just trying to be positive and supportive and at the same time pretty quiet due to the sense of dread.

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Europablue added 11:15 - Aug 30 London_Blue I am very impressed with Burgess, he made the defense look very assured against MK Dons. Edmunson looks like he would be a great presence, but unfortunately, we bought him with an injury. So I'd say that the defensive signings have been excellent.
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Nobbysnuts added 11:20 - Aug 30 Cook has just lost the plot completely now and is just trying to buy a win because his coaching skills are cr#p....cook out
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Skip73 added 11:25 - Aug 30 Blue warrior, thats probably why Town fans were voted tge worst in the country. Anyone reading this site would def agree with it. I'm now leavibg the site as I've had enough of all of it.
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Linkboy13 added 11:28 - Aug 30 Im all for the new signings coming in. Problem is it puts back the gelling of the team which showed little signs of improvement on Saturday. Im not giving up on Cook yet but tactically he worries me. Saturday it was obvious Wimbledon were going to score but he didn't change it tactically we were inviting Wimbledon to score. Yes we made substitutions but still played the same system. I think we should have gone to 451 or even 442 and tightened up the midfield. Some people on here have moaned about the amount of loan players we have. But the two players who have played with the most passion and desire have been Bonne and Coulson we need to see more of that if we are going to get promoted.

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threescousers added 11:29 - Aug 30 we've completely changed everything even the things we've changed how about the club name? Knowsley FC anyone?
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Monkey_Blue added 11:30 - Aug 30 I'm on the fence here. Obviously a quality player although inconsistent when with us and I'm not sure we needed another attacking midfielder. There is also the effects of COVID and if they are permanent or my require him to spend a couple of months or so getting up to speed. If he's on top of his game can win matches at this level. Just seems an odd move given our problems are not in his position.

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Bluechip75 added 11:40 - Aug 30 Excellent post Bluelodgeblue,you hit the nail right on the head.
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Monkey_Blue added 11:42 - Aug 30 Are problems in my view are PC and his really inexperienced 1st team coaches. PC has no one of any experience to turn to during a game or in the build up to the game, but I suspect he's happier not having someone question him.
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Razor added 11:44 - Aug 30 So when will he actually be fit to play-----or will he join that Scottish centre half who we have not seen kick a ball yet?
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DerryfromBury added 11:44 - Aug 30 Happy with the proposed singing of Brighton GK Christian Walton (badly needed), based on recent performances of Hladky. Although there's the possibility of a half decent number 2 given time, training along side someone like Walton. With regards to Bersant, There's no doubt he was excellent for us during the previous loan spell under MMc, my only concern is how long will it be before he's fully fit to make a start? particularly if its only a season loan.

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Razor added 11:45 - Aug 30 So when will he be actually fit to play or will he join that centre half from Rangers who we have not seen kick a ball yet?
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blues1 added 11:45 - Aug 30 Martin587. Any player signing from a higherclge will have to take a lower wage. We can only spend 60% of our income on wages. So no, our wages will not be as high as clubs above us. My guess is, theycwill get a good signing on fee which would bridge the gap somewhat but the idea we are paying big wages is way off the mark
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DerryfromBury added 11:45 - Aug 30 Signing
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blues1 added 12:03 - Aug 30 Steelmonnkey. You couldnt make up some of the rubbish comments made on here? How could Bonne have gone back to qpr? Or why would he? QPR cannot call him back bxse it's a season long loan which have no recalls. The only way he could go back this season would be in january if all 3 parties agreed to it, and even then, he wouuldnt be able to play for their 1st team. He has a slight hamstring injury which they didn't want to risk on Saturday

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Wickwar_Blue added 12:30 - Aug 30 London_Blue I captained Brazil at the 1982 World Cup…. I'm not sure that the level of football I have or haven't played at is relevant? If only those with high level experience are deemed to know what they are talking about then this board would be a very quiet place! I think it's perfectly legitimate to question Cook. I'm sorted of voicing similar sentiments to what Cook himself said last week when when he referred to “earning the trust” of the fans. His results since taking over are abysmal. And I found his attempts to motivate the squad last year with his public “demolition man” comments to be odd in the extreme. Wouldn't disagree with the sentiment of what he was saying but not sure why he went public with it. As I said in my original post I really hope it all works out. I'm not one for calling for Managers to be sacked. I'm just a little surprised at the level of slack that Cook is being cut compared to say Jim or Mick.

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atty added 12:41 - Aug 30 A good signing in itself I think but with other late additions so much for a smaller squad. Hope Cook's man management skills are up to scratch, he'll need them to keep all those attacking players happy. New GK and midfield destroyer I can defo see.
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ringwoodblue added 12:43 - Aug 30 You can't question the ambition and support of our new owners and the incredibly hard work put in by Ashton to secure all these signings. We have seen a summer transfer window like no other at our club and I'm very grateful for all that. If/when fit, Celina will be a brilliant signing and will add flair and entertainment so I'm all behind it. Just hope the new goalie and Edmundson stop us leaking as many/more than we can score.

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Bazza8564 added 12:53 - Aug 30 6 weeks ago when first news leaked of this, we were raving about it. Dont understand whats changed! We need depth through 46 games and with Dobra possibly moving out on loan, plus probably Kenlock and maybe Holy, we've shifted out nearly 30. Our squad is smaller by 10 or so. Talented lad who knows the club, cant see whats wrong with this we need the depth.
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spanishblue added 12:54 - Aug 30 Waltons out of contract next year, so it's probably he'll sign on next year possibly similar with Celina & maybe Bonne, we have 3 issues G/k C/Back and a nasty defensive midfielder, surely once sorted things will improve dramatically if they don't Cookie tenure will end quickly
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Cheshire_Blue added 13:02 - Aug 30 Time will tell. We can't all be right but from where I am standing the signs aren't good. The key to all this is Cook's expected right hand man ended up as manager at Wigan. Just how good is Cook without his 'assistant'? Time will tell.
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Cloddyseedbed added 13:07 - Aug 30 Personally I think this is now a pointless signing, no doubt I'll get shot down for saying it. Were starting to get too many players in certain positions which will cause unhappy players. I get you need competition but not sure Celina is a good fit. We need a commanding midfielder. Last 2 games we've not controlled midfield. Thank goodness we hopefully have just signed a goalkeeper who can catch and hold onto the ball. Hopefully that will give the defence a bit of confidence too.

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Wooly74 added 13:10 - Aug 30 We have some prize one idiots posting on here that is for sure. Quality of signings better Quality of football trying to be played better Aspirations better Club in a much better positive attitude with real investors Fans calling for Cooks head after five games of the season 🤦‍♂️ Get a grip and get behind the team, if not go and support that lot up the road or the Ipswich veterans at Colchester. Many of you are an embarrassment to this beloved club. I doubt many of you have ever played the game other than on a console in your own bedroom and I do question how many of you have actually been to games this season. Never in all my days (in excess now of 40 years) have I heard and read such ridiculous comments! Start sparking and be a real fan, stop posting so much dross and actually use your giro money to pay for a ticket and get behind the team!

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