TWTD understands former Blues loanee Bersant Celina’s loan move to Turkish side Kasımpaşa from parent club Dijon has fallen through.

Celina was in Istanbul to complete his switch to the Süper Lig club yesterday but we understand that deal has now broken down.

Prior to the Kosovo international’s proposed Turkish move, Town had been in talks with the forward regarding his return to Portman Road for a third spell - a loan with a view to a permanent move as was the case with Kasımpaşa - for much of the summer with the player understood to be keen on the switch but having been unable to come to an agreement with the player regarding terms.

The Blues signed Marcus Harness, who can operate in similar roles to Celina, on Friday and although it was believed Town were still keen, it’s understood no further contact was made following the addition of the former Pompey attacker. However, the Kasımpaşa move breaking down could well see the Blues renew their interest.

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, which affects all English clubs.

Other clubs could also come into the running with Scottish Premiership Rangers now believed to be keen, although with that interest understood to be in its very early stages. Scottish clubs are not affected by the work permit situation as they have an exemption.

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

TimmyH added 20:15 - Jul 20 Seriously this is getting ridiculous...to me he's a 50/50 player, great at this level when he has the ball not so good when he doesn't, I bet he still doesn't come here.
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blueboy1981 added 20:56 - Jul 20 What a Dilly Dally Close Season this has been in many ways, hardly a settled, or even complete squad / team yet ? Not exactly perfect preparation for a serious assault on Promotion, I would suggest !! Still two players short of where we need to be to increase our strength over last seasons meagre attempt, I'm afraid. Points on the Board in the first four Games will be so important, and for that GOALS will be required … !!! Who / Where will they come from ???

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19781981twtd added 23:23 - Jul 20 Has not shown enough real desire to join us let it go,good this day but not enough days !!!
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FransFan added 00:00 - Jul 21 Longest. Saga. Ever.
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Ipswichbusiness added 08:06 - Jul 21 I have commented previously that I would love to see him back, but with the caveat that it was subject to money (I wouldn't want us to blow the entire transfer/wage budget on him!). Since then we have signed Harness so our need for him has reduced. Better to spend the available money on a striker and left wing back than re-sign him.
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whymarkwhynot added 09:54 - Jul 21 Face facts we are not going to be signing Santi end of.
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Razor added 11:09 - Jul 21 After all the nice things he said about us last year I thought he would run back to this club---obviously not.N0-0ne likes being third choice so I would let it go now and just get a decent prolific striker in-----we must have some money knocking about----get it done!!
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dirtydingusmagee added 16:15 - Jul 21 With new season a matter of days away now, im a bit concerned that we havnt signed a player with a real scoring pedigree, We dont appear to have a front man to put fear into opposition, i may be wrong, there maybe something in the pipeline, just feel we need to get off to a solid start and sooner the players are settled the better. imo. Im not bothered about not signing Celina at all.

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blueboy1981 added 17:23 - Jul 21 Some of you haven't a clue how things work ‘behind the scenes' - this has very little to do with Celina himself - it's both Clubs and Money. Celina is orchestrating very little himself - if anything at all !!
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cat added 23:57 - Jul 21 No dramas, we have a first eleven more than capable for next Saturday, so leaving it beyond the start of the season to see what squad players (from higher divisions) become available, sounds a better bet to pick up some quality
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WoodfordTim added 10:17 - Jul 22 He is on a reputed £19,000 pw at Dijon with 2 years left on his contract. Same as Jimmy Bullard's position when he was at Hull and they wanted to get him off the payroll. So I would think that Celina is waiting until he gets offered better personal terms. Sam Morsy is our highest earner on £10k pw according to salary sport, so Town may try and cut a loan deal and pay say 50% of his wages to Dijon with the hope we reach the Championship, then buy the player and pay Celina close to £19k pw.

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