---
title: "Celtic: Deal for Jordon Ibe is moving closer"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-deal-for-jordon-ibe-is-moving-closer/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Liam Togher"
section: "SPFL News"
published: "2019-08-20T18:10:02Z"
modified: "2019-08-20T18:10:02Z"
---

# Celtic: Deal for Jordon Ibe is moving closer

**Celtic are understood to be getting closer to securing a loan deal for Bournemouth attacker Jordon Ibe as Neil Lennon seeks to bolster his attacking options.**

The [Daily Express](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1167630/Celtic-transfer-news-Jordan-Ibe-Bournemouth) reported that the Hoops are closing in on the loan signing of the 23-year-old and are hoping to complete the deal before the Scottish Premiership transfer window [closes on September 2nd](https://www.footballscotland.co.uk/spfl/scottish-premiership/transfer-window-2019-open-dates-16370467).

According to the [Daily Express](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1167630/Celtic-transfer-news-Jordan-Ibe-Bournemouth), Celtic had initially hoped to secure Ibe on a permanent deal, but they were unwilling to meet Bournemouth’s valuation of around £20m.

The [Daily Express](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1167630/Celtic-transfer-news-Jordan-Ibe-Bournemouth) added that the Scottish champions are not the only team eyeing up a move for the winger, with Fiorentina, Napoli and Galatasaray also reportedly interested in him.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/THE-BREAKDOWN.png)

Ibe became [Bournemouth’s most expensive signing of all time](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36800117) when he joined the Cherries from Liverpool for [£15m](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36800117) three years ago, although that status now belongs to [Jefferson Lerma](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/afc-bournemouth/transferrekorde/verein/989) after his [£25m move from Levante](https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/45072577) last year.

The 23-year-old winger has scored only [five goals in 88 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jordon-ibe/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/195652) for Bournemouth and provided a mere [nine assists](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jordon-ibe/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/195652), an average of 0.06 goals and 0.1 assists per game.

He has not featured in either of the Cherries’ two Premier League games so far this season, [failing to make it off the bench against either Sheffield United or Aston Villa](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/jordon-ibe/leistungsdaten/spieler/195652), and he [started only nine matches in the league in 2018/19](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/105797/History/Jordon-Ibe).

Celtic’s current wingers proved their value to the team once again in Saturday’s[2-1 extra time victory over Dunfermline](https://www.skysports.com/football/celtic-vs-dunfmline/419065) in the Betfred Cup, the goals coming from wide men [James Forrest and Mikey Johnston](https://www.skysports.com/football/celtic-vs-dunfmline/419065).

Forrest, the current [SPFL Player of the Year](https://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/17659658.celtic-winger-james-forrest-completes-personal-treble-by-winning-ladbrokes-premiership-player-of-the-year//), already has [four goals and three assists from his eight appearances this season](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-forrest/leistungsdaten/spieler/84992), scoring 80% of Ibe’s total at Bournemouth in 9.1% of the number of games.

Last season, the 28-year-old [scored 18 goals and supplied 20 assists in 56 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/celtic-fc/leistungsdaten/verein/371/reldata/%262018/plus/1) for Celtic, averaging 0.32 goals and 0.36 assists per game.

Johnston has [three goals and three assists from six games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mikey-johnston/leistungsdaten/spieler/297257) so far in 2018/19, averaging 0.5 per game for both metrics.

![](https://cdn.footballtransfertavern.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Verdict.png)

Ibe’s goal contribution for Bournemouth has been massively underwhelming, especially for a player who was once the club’s record signing.

While he cost the Cherries £15m, Celtic have brought through [Forrest](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-forrest/profil/spieler/84992) and [Johnston](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/mikey-johnston/profil/spieler/297257) from their youth squads and both men are thriving in the Hoops’ first team.

Even if either or both were to be unavailable, Neil Lennon already has [several other players in his squad to cover the left and right wings](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/celtic-glasgow/kadernachposition/verein/371), which makes Celtic’s pursuit of the ineffective Ibe seem perplexing.

***Celtic fans, do you think Ibe would succeed at the club if he joins on loan? Comment below with your views!***