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

midastouch added 15:11 - Jul 19 We may as well use some of the wages saved on Celina on a new striker. That seems the most obvious thing to do.
4

Bluearmy71 added 15:21 - Jul 19 Phil, can you remove this story now please, my hopes have now well and truly been dashed I can no longer reach them!! Good luck Bersant, would have loved you here to stay but in this world you gotta do what's best for you and yours, see you on a free in 2 or 3 years?? lol
0

dirtydingusmagee added 16:44 - Jul 19 move on Celina really wasnt that special , decent but not special.
3

happybeingblue added 16:45 - Jul 19 feel we should be focusing on getting another striker in, hoping we could get cole stockton looked a class act last year holds the ball up so well clever player 23 goals in a struggling team as well last season...celina playing in front of an average crowd of 2000 at this turkish team hardly showcasing your talents.
1

yorkieblue62 added 16:46 - Jul 19 On his day a top performer but just not enough of those days or goals. Think Harness ( & Chaplin ) offer more.
2

Nomore4 added 16:50 - Jul 19 We have the much better alround player in Harness. Proven to perform in L1 consistently. Eager to reach higher levels. And Pompey,s best player over the last couple of years. Impressive signing.
5

blues1 added 17:00 - Jul 19 Happybeingblue. Please, let's stop all this Cole stockton rubbish. He had a good season last season yes. But hes had 11 clubs in 12 years. Doesn't that tell you all you need to know about him. No good player moves that many times in that space of time
1

happybeingblue added 17:11 - Jul 19 hes only ever played for 7 clubs blues1 you are talking rubbish :)
0

stormypetrel added 17:36 - Jul 19 I'll miss the Blue Action Celina song…it is excellent!…I will miss a player that brought magic and smiles…maybe not often enough…but magic and smiles when it happened…from “That Goal”…to Fleetwood away when he changed the dynamic of a stubborn team on the worlds sh!!test pitch….just class…yep disappointment but as many say I trust that MA/KM have made the right call for the best of the club and team

0

barrystedmunds added 19:38 - Jul 19 Hopefully we can put this one to bed now! Move on!
0

del45 added 20:40 - Jul 19 We all know that today money talks in football gone have the days when loyalty was the first thing which built great teams.
-2

cat added 21:02 - Jul 19 Quality player on his day but one player don't make a team. The balance of the side is far more important and sometimes these types of players ruin the flow. Made some great moments though so appreciate them, all the best to him
1

blues1 added 21:33 - Jul 19 Haplybeingblue. Yes, but done of those clubs he's played for more than once. Still 11 moves in 12 years.
0

pg888 added 00:24 - Jul 20 Incredibly over rated. Quality on his day but has shown a complete lack of consistency. 11 clubs speaks for itself we can and will do better!
0

tractorboybig added 06:22 - Jul 20 bobbychase we are a nothing club in a poor league
-3

Dissboyitfc added 06:48 - Jul 20 i really think this has more to do with with his parent club wanting his wages off the books for the coming season, first stoke and now Kasımpaşa happy to pay a bigger slice of BC's salary, than Celina choosing another club over us! We have to stick within certain wage parameters. Whilst pure class on his day, he didn't show regularly enough!
0

Kirbmeister added 09:11 - Jul 20 I never rated the guy. Blows too hot and cold for my liking. We can do a lot better.
0

MaySixth added 09:22 - Jul 20 The world shrugs.
0

Razor added 10:21 - Jul 20 Well he gave me my most orgasmic moment of last season-----the goal at Oxford so I am very sad that can not be repeated, and afer all the nice things he said about us as well!! We still need a 20 plus goal striker,even more so now.
0

Bert added 11:28 - Jul 20 A great shame but surely our focus must now be on getting another striker in because that is still our problem area. Goals win games.
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