TWTD understands Championship side Preston North End are keen on signing Town loanee Bersant Celina ahead of 2022/23.

Celina, 25, recently completed his second loan spell at Portman Road, from French side Dijon, making 24 starts and 11 sub appearances, scoring six times, including the Town Goal of the Season against Crewe.

We understand Preston, who finished 13th in the Championship during 2021/22, are interested in taking the Kosovo international to Deepdale over the summer while it seems likely other clubs may join the chase during the close season.

Speaking about Celina in March, Town manager Kieran McKenna said: “He’s certainly a player I really like. I think his qualities fit really well into the football team and as we develop the team I think he can be more important for us going forward.

“Obviously there’s the football side of it and then there’s also the business side of it, and both things have to match up, and the wishes of the players and the wishes of the club on both sides have to match up.

“There are probably a few discussions to be had over the summer and that’s something that other people at the club will handle apart from me, but Bersant’s a player that I really like, that I enjoy having as part of the team and I could certainly see as part of the future of the club.”

Celina, who previously spent 2017/18 on loan at Town from Manchester City, said in the same month that he’d be interested in a return to Portman Road if he was offered the chance, even if the Blues were still in League One.

“I just want this club to get promoted and I’ll come here. Hopefully, that’s my goal. I want to come back to England to play my football and especially here at Ipswich,” he said.

“It doesn’t mean we have to win promotion for that to happen but it’s obviously what we want. If it doesn’t happen this season, with the manager we have now I would expect it to happen next season.

“I have played a lot of games for this club and there is a strong connection between us. I really feel at home here and I’m enjoying it. I’m happy, which is always important, and we are doing our very best to bring success to the club.”

Norway-raised Celina, who is currently on holiday in Spain with Town team-mate Wes Burns, still has another two years left on his contract at Dijon, who are 11th in France’s Ligue 2 with one game to play. Celina seems certain to leave on either a permanent basis or another loan this summer.

Photo: Matchday Images

thecheek added 09:53 - May 13 I'm sure we will do everything we can to keep him and so we should. It'll probably be down to Santi and whether he can resist the lure of playing at a higher level which we could hardly blame him for given he's now 25...
1

Jugsy added 09:56 - May 13 Seems a bit of a luxury player - this league doesn't suit him. He clearly has class but would often go missing . I'd rather see Chaplin in that role, he competes for ball more and has a better eye for goal.
0

Karlosfandangal added 10:03 - May 13 In his first spell he played in 38 games scoring 8 goals and 0 assists in the Championship This time 35 games 6 goals and 6 assists in a division below. Think with a proper preseason. He should rip League one apart. Think so far McKenna is very good at getting the best out of players so Celina should improve. His love for Town and the fans will always pull him to sign, but as it has been said the numbers will have to add up.

1

chepstowblue added 10:20 - May 13 Not many players at this level who have a quick brain.... Celina does. He may have been inconsistent last season but at his best he's one of a few at the club who are obviously too good for this level, and on his day the championship also.The sort of player who on his day will set us apart from the rest. A player who the opposition don't just respect but genuinely fear. To fret about losing Norwood but not Celina has me scratching my head when ability wise they're on different planets. If we're not lining up players of this ability who's heart is obviously at the club then I'm fascinated to know what pre-season will bring as there aren't many of his ability and vision willing to play so far down the pyramid. Surely....surely its a no brainer to at least make an effort. Very disappointed if this doesn't happen.

3

BlueBlood90 added 10:36 - May 13 I still think he would prefer to sign for us over Preston given the choice. He clearly loves it here and believes in the project. Not sure what Preston could offer him that we can't (except the obvious playing in a higher league)
1

TimmyH added 10:48 - May 13 A luxury player but most squads have them don't they? as other posts have mentioned has the quality for a great pass or goal top change a game but in a lot of more physical games goes missing and not effective off the ball...a bit 50/50 on this one.
-1

BeattiesBackPocket added 10:50 - May 13 Those who go on about him being ‘too ineffective' need to see games more. His pressing from the front had improved hugely since McKenna came in and responsible for 12 goals in the games he's played this season including a goal no one else in our team would've scored. This guy is an absolute game changer however you can't expect genius every game and that's the problem with some fans when you have a player like him. Responsible for 12 goals from a wide position is decent considering he's been one of those players in and out the side making it extremely difficult to get consistency in your play

4

Ipswichbusiness added 11:00 - May 13 I would love him to sign for us as he is such a quality act. Unfortunately, it all comes down to money; how much does his club want for him, how much does he want in terms of wages? I wouldn't want to blow the entire budget on one player!
1

Marinersnose added 11:32 - May 13 Agree with other posts that Celina has been a little inconsistent but he creates so many goal scoring opportunities which would certainly be converted with a top striker. He is a top class player who has incredible touch quick feet and plays with his head up seeing a pass early. I maybe controversial here but for me he would be more effective in a higher league with smarter players around him and more time. He definitely has much to offer and is out there as one of the best in the league on ability alone.

3

Rimsy added 12:23 - May 13 Should definitely try to sign him. People say he's inconsistent but I disagree. The times last season he played sublime balls through to the strikers and they just were not on the same wavelength to appreciate what Celina could do. Often looked like a wasted ball but really none of the strikers were good enough to take advantage.
2

blues1 added 12:39 - May 13 Super Jim. Think ur the one with eye problems. Yes, he produces a great pass now and then, but much of his passing was poor this season. Too many passes made too short, not finding their man, mainly due to him being too complacent. Fat boy Tim. If you think he was our best player over the last 15 games, you cant have seen many of them. Of the 2 number 10s, Chaplin was far better. Would I sign him? Maybe, as of course he has quality. And if he can perform consistently we'd have a great player. But let's remember. He's on £21,500 a week at dijon. Is he really gonna accept around £5-6000 a week to come here? Qnd before anyone says we pay more than that. We don't, bcse we cant. When walton signed in January it was well publicised that he became our top wage earner, on £6.500 a week. I'm sure they've all got some kind of payments that dont come under the wage budget of 60% of income, to make their money up but those are the kind of figures we can pay. So couldxonly see Celina signing as a loan player player again, should he sign at all.

-3

rickw added 13:06 - May 13 I wouldn't break the bank for him Yes we know he's talented and capable of the spectacular, but for a forward player I'd expect the very minimum of 10 goals a season and he got 6 - that's not enough for someone who'll likely earn double anyone else
-2

Monkey_Blue added 13:12 - May 13 I don't know the sacrifice his wages cause but he's someone I'd love to have back.
1

GrantOB92 added 14:52 - May 13 Would keep him over Aluko any day of the week. We need quality attacking midfielders. Not 34 year olds (35 when season starts) with 3 G and 0 A all season. Compared to Chaplin and Celina, I would rather get rid of Aluko
0

whymarkwhynot added 14:53 - May 13 Celina won't be here next season unfortunately, let's hope Edwards steps up to the plate and shows his true potential.
0

ringwoodblue added 15:44 - May 13 This one has really split opinion. Personally I'd rather have a player of slightly less technical quality who performs consistently week in week out rather than a luxury player who has a few moments of brilliance every ten games. We need grit, strength, consistency and 100% effort to get out of this league and Celina doesn't tick those boxes for me.
1

Linkboy13 added 08:40 - May 14 I'd rather have a player that scores no goals and creates nothing but is consistent every week than a player with quality who scores and creates goals. If the price is right i would definitely sign him . Yes he is inconsistent but despite this his stats are good and he's still only 25 and offers more to the team than Aluko no assists last season which is not good enough for a midfield player.

0

Blogs 295 bloggers

Ipswich Town Polls