Fares Ghedjemis is having the kind of transfer window that agents dream about. The 23-year-old Frosinone winger, who Celtic tried and failed to sign in January for £6.5m, is now attracting interest from Champions League clubs. His asking price has reportedly ballooned past €20m.

That is quite the glow-up for a player who arrived at Frosinone from Rouen in January 2024 for €300K plus a sell-on clause.

From Celtic near-miss to continental radar

Celtic’s pursuit of Ghedjemis earlier this year was serious. The Scottish champions reportedly engaged in detailed negotiations over a potential £6.5m deal. But the two sides couldn’t agree on the fee structure, and the move collapsed.

Since that January saga, his stock has climbed relentlessly. Borussia Dortmund, AS Monaco, Lazio, and Atalanta have all reportedly entered the conversation. The first two of those clubs are regular Champions League participants.

Frosinone, understandably, is in no rush to sell cheaply. Earlier valuations placed Ghedjemis in the €8m to €10m range. Now the Italian club’s asking price has reportedly doubled to around €20m. His formal market value sits at approximately €7.5m.

A player who knows his worth

Ghedjemis has reportedly turned down two substantial offers, one from a Saudi Arabian club and another from MLS, both arriving around May 2026.

Rejecting those kinds of paydays at 23 is a statement. It signals a player prioritizing competitive football and European visibility over immediate financial reward. That decision becomes even more interesting when you consider the World Cup cycle. Ghedjemis represents Algeria, and performing at a top European club during a qualification window could cement his international standing.

The Algerian-French winger, born in Montreuil on September 6, 2002, has scored 15-plus goals in recent campaigns. His contract at Frosinone runs until 2028, which gives the Italian club significant leverage.

Why this transfer race matters beyond football

Frosinone paid €300K for him roughly two and a half years ago. If he sells for anything close to €20m, that represents a return of more than 6,500%.

The sell-on clause Frosinone agreed to when acquiring Ghedjemis from Rouen means his former club will also benefit from any sale, creating a financial chain that incentivizes scouting at every level of the pyramid.