TWTD understands former Blues loanee Bersant Celina is close to joining Turkish side Kasımpaşa on loan from parent club Dijon with an option to buy.

Town have been in talks with Celina, who could complete his move to the Istanbul-based Süper Lig club as soon as today, regarding his return to Portman Road for a third spell - also a loan with a view to a permanent switch - for much of the summer with the player understood to be keen on the switch but with no agreement reached.

The Blues signed Marcus Harness, who can operate in similar roles to Celina, on Friday and although it was believed Town were still keen on the Kosovan international, it’s understood no further contact was made following the addition of the former Pompey attacker.

As revealed last week, Stoke looked to be the 25-year-old’s destination until his work permit situation caused the proposed switch to collapse.

In addition to Kasımpaşa, another Turkish club Antalyaspor also held talks and earlier in the summer Preston were keen but their interest is understood to have cooled and would anyway have been impacted by the work permit issue.

Dijon remain in French Ligue 2 and have needed Celina, who has another two years left on his contract, off their wage bill for the season ahead with the one-time Swansea man not having joined them for the start of pre-season.

Celina spent last season on loan at Town having previously been with the Blues during 2017/18 while a Manchester City player and is very much a fans' favourite at Portman Road.

Photo: Matchday Images

Chrisd added 11:56 - Jul 19 Quite frankly, I'm glad it's all over and we can all move on. It's been a bit of a nonsense over the last few weeks with this incessant clambering for Celina. Appreciate he's a good player, but having players that are in the main our own, keeping within budget and building a side is the way forward. Good luck to him and I hope he does well in Turkey, but onwards and upwards for us.

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Dday added 12:15 - Jul 19 On his day unplayable, days when he was off his best he looked very much like a luxury player. Chaplin and Aluko I think are more consistent performers. We are probably best spending the money elsewhere.
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runningout added 12:18 - Jul 19 Good luck BC from me
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Stato added 12:23 - Jul 19 Last season Celina got a lot of starts in a team that didn't concede many but needed to score more. The attacking part of the team needed some fresh blood so bringing in Harness for Celina looks worth a try. Now let's not wait until deadline day before we sign our star striker.
2

Edmundo added 12:26 - Jul 19 Thanks for the memories and hopefully we see you at PR in the future.
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billlm added 12:33 - Jul 19 I love watching celina play, harness seems a much better fit, also I must question celina's ambitions playing in front of 2500 fans isn't that ambitious,
2

Rimsy added 12:38 - Jul 19 Gutted he's decided not to come here again, at least we won't have to face him on the pitch. It does free up funds for a goal scorer so not all bad.
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LegendofthePhoenix added 12:50 - Jul 19 Looks like the average home attendance at his new club is around 1300 https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/kasmpasa-sk/attendances/2021-2022 Is it another case of a greedy agent? Surely Santi doesn't want to be playing in front of those sort of attendances? He could be at PR in front of 25,000+ every week. Doesn't make sense as the future must be brighter here. Still, we need a set piece taker, I hope that is now a priority.

2

bigolconnor added 12:55 - Jul 19 I don't think any of this comes down to whether or not Bersant wanted to come to ITFC but rather his parent club and his agent. I'm slightly gutted for him and us. Oh well, good luck to him. I can't see any situation where a showman would rather play in front of 2,500 potential fans than 25,000 actual fans.
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bigolconnor added 12:58 - Jul 19 Haha, legendofthephoenix, I seem to have written that at the same time as you.
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Jugsy added 12:58 - Jul 19 Good luck Bersant - loved but not needed. Chaplin and Aluko looking sharp, Harness added to the mix alongside Burns and Edwards already in the ranks - all these lads can't play at the same time so it doesn't feel like we're that short on attacking players. Santi moves on, as do we. His fiery temperament will probably fit the Turkish league well!
1

ringwoodblue added 13:13 - Jul 19 I will always have a soft spot for Santi but I didn't think he would be returning for a third time. I wish him well in Turkey.
1

cressi added 13:16 - Jul 19 My own view I believe Celina is more suited to the leagues above than the rough and tumble we find ourselves in. I don't believe any of last years promotion wining teams had a Celina or a Twine in their teams but knew how to win games. We move on.
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CraigEdwards added 13:31 - Jul 19 Wage cap
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blues1 added 13:39 - Jul 19 Legendofthephoenix. Cant see how it's down to a greedy agent as he'll be earning exactly the same amount of money there as he would have here. Which is the wages he's on a dijon. The only difference its likely there will be, in the deal, is they'll be paying a higher percentage of his wages than we could afford to go to. Hence him going there, instead of here.
1

chepstowblue added 13:45 - Jul 19 Would have been the X-factor to make the difference. I'm sure that struggling to create chances and scoring goals will be our biggest issue again this season. He runs so comfortably with the ball at pace, something that sets him apart at this level. Whilst the likes of Burns and Chaplin were terrific last season and probably more consistent, Celina was still the guy likely to produce the wow moments. A huge disappointment.

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JaySwitch added 13:47 - Jul 19 TWTD understands 😭
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Carberry added 13:58 - Jul 19 Agreed, a striker is a must. Ours just didn't look sharp at Wimbledon, too many missed opportunities, although hopefully just pre-season ring rust. I would like to hear what the McK system is, there was a unusual amount of direct play up to Ladapo, with his back to goal or to try to run on to. What is the strategy? Might someone ask for us?
1

Carberry added 14:02 - Jul 19 blues1, it's about a loan with a view to a signing (which means the deal is done), so it will be the wages he receives after the loan is over.
1

SamWhiteUK added 14:34 - Jul 19 Could be a loan fee as well?
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DavoIPB added 14:37 - Jul 19 Fortunately Aluko still here. Him and Celina were the most entertaining players last year. Everyone going on about how Celina didn't do much last year. Entertainment value for league 1 was excellent. Best goal I have seen scored at Portman road. As Edmundson said on commentary last year Celine plays passes no one else sees. If we had a decent striker who read the game well and made good runs, we would have seen more assists.

2

jas0999 added 14:41 - Jul 19 Shame, but for me we are well covered in that position. Would have thought a top striker is the number one priority. Still think a left sided player is required. A left back or wing back.
1

Linkboy13 added 14:42 - Jul 19 I think some people need to wake up and smell the coffee. A footballer's career is very short he won't be too bothered about the amount of fans he's playing in front of if the money is good. I would have liked to have kept him because he was our most creative midfielder last season but not on 20 thousand a week.
3

midastouch added 15:04 - Jul 19 Shame as we know what quality he has on his day (the goal against Burton for example was just ridiculous!), however, we might have a very good capable alternative in Harness if things all go to plan. Also, no point totally breaking the bank on wages as if it doesn't go to plan the costs of over spending beyond your means can end in disaster (as many other clubs have found out in recent years to their cost). I'm all for ambition but you don't want to spend well over and above the odds for the division you are in as it can backfire badly if the gamble doesn't work out. It's so tough getting the balance right in football as if you don't take calculated risks you get left behind but if you risk too much financially you can end up paying very dearly for a long time to come (we know all about that)!

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midastouch added 15:05 - Jul 19 I meant the goal against Crewe.
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