Celtic target won't move to Scotland because he 'prefers to stay in Italy'
· Ben Borland · 2026-08-14T15:44:03+00:00 · nguồn gốc
Celtic transfer target won't move to Scotland because he 'prefers to stay in Italy'
One Italian transfer expert said the winger linked with the Hoops prefers Rome, Florence or Turin over the East End of Glasgow
Celtic's reported interest in Lazio winger Matteo Cancellieri has been one of the transfer target stories of the summer. The 24-year-old chalked up four goals and two assists for the Italian side last season.
The Hoops were initially seen as the frontrunners, although English Premier League side West Ham have also now joined the race to sign Cancellieri, who is entering the final year of his contract in Rome.
However, Italian transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio told Betarades.gr the attacker is unlikely to move to Scotland as he prefers to stay in Italy, with Torino and Fiorentina being possible destinations.
"Cancellieri had different calls from Olympiakos, Fiorentina, Torino. He only has a year left on his contract," he said. "No, I don't think that he'll go to Celtic. I think he can stay in Italy. He's waiting for some Italian moves in that position – Fiorentina or Torino – because he prefers to stay in Italy.
"Then in the last days, of course, anything can happen but I don't think Celtic are his priority." The Parkhead side were keen to sign Cancellieri to beef up their attacking options.
Di Marzio also provided information about Evan Ferguson, the Irish striker with Brighton and Hove Albion, who's also being linked to Celtic. But he said Ferguson also wants to stay in Italy after spending last season on loan at AS Roma.
"Evan Ferguson was in discussions with AS Roma and his agents," he said. "The key point is the injury that he had. So they have to decide if it's better for him to leave now or in January. Because I don't think he's fully fit at the moment and he's recovering.
"So they have to decide if he leaves Brighton now or in January. If he decides to leave now, Genoa would like to give him the opportunity because Daniele De Rossi likes the player. So it's one to keep an eye out for."
Ferguson, 21, grew up supporting both Celtic and Manchester United in Bettystown, a village in County Meath. He scored three goals in 16 games during an injury-hit season.