Celtic target Gvidas Gineitis was among the Torino players the club were keen to retain this summer, according to head coach Ignacio Abate.
The Lithuania international was on Celtic’s shortlist as they looked for a potential replacement for Arne Engels.
Celtic were prepared to pursue a deal worth around £9million, but were unable to reach an agreement with Torino after Engels completed his £22m move to West Ham.
Torino were understood to value the 22-year-old closer to £13m and Gineitis remained in Turin after the transfer deadline passed. Abate has now spoken for the first time since the window closed and insisted Torino have kept the players required for the season ahead.
He said: “The club has given me the players I need. We’ve strengthened the flanks, and two midfielders have arrived. We kept the players we need.
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“Now we need to find the right fit.”
Torino added several new faces before the deadline, including Scotland international Nathan Patterson in a £1m switch. The former Rangers and Everton defender has joined Scotland team-mate Che Adams in Italy, while Rolando Mandragora and Daniel Bragança also arrived on deadline day.
Abate added: “Mandragora is the most ready of all. Braganca has great quality and depth, but he hasn’t trained much with the team and needs time. I still have to evaluate Patterson.
“Belghali also needs time, but he has a physical structure that allows him to get into shape quickly.”
