Celtic not progressing James Penrice transfer enquiry

Celtic have not followed up their transfer enquiry for James Penrice and a deal is not expected to progress, according to reporting on July 25. The AEK Athens left-back, previously linked with Rangers, had been eyed as cover for Kieran Tierney after Marcelo Saracchi ruled out a Parkhead return.

GiveMeSport journalist Ben Jacobs said Celtic's initial enquiry for the former Hearts defender has not been followed up and that a move is no longer expected, the Glasgow Times reported. The update lands amid a thin left-back picture at Parkhead under Martin O'Neill.

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Key Takeaways

• Celtic enquired with AEK Athens about James Penrice but have not followed up.
• Journalist Ben Jacobs says a Penrice deal is not expected to progress.
• Penrice was viewed as competition and cover for Kieran Tierney.
• Rangers links persist in chatter, but Greek reporting says Gers interest is not live.
• Marcelo Saracchi will not return to Celtic, leaving left-back depth short.

What is the latest on Celtic's James Penrice transfer enquiry?

Earlier this week, the Daily Record reported that Celtic had made initial contact with AEK Athens over Penrice's availability. The Scottish champions were exploring options after loan star Marcelo Saracchi ruled out a return to Celtic Park.

With Kieran Tierney the only senior left-back on the books, Penrice was seen as a possible target to add strength and depth. That enquiry, however, has stalled. Jacobs' update makes clear Parkhead have not pressed on, and no deal is expected now.

Why was James Penrice linked with Celtic and Rangers?

Penrice joined AEK from Hearts in a £2million move last summer after a strong 2024/25 campaign at Tynecastle. He has made 33 appearances for the Greek side and helped them to title glory in 2025/26.

Celtic had interest before he left Scotland, Greek football insider Antonis Oikonomides told Sport 24, as cited by Edinburgh News. Rangers have also been linked across recent windows, with previous Greek reports saying a January move was rejected.

Oikonomides said the player's side denies any Rangers talks and that Rangers are not interested. He described only a "small window of opportunity" for Celtic because Penrice sits on their list while they hunt a left-back.

Record Sport previously noted former Rangers boss Danny Rohl asked technical director Dan Purdy to monitor Penrice in Greece. Derek McInnes has yet to resurrect that interest, which had left the door notionally open for Celtic.

What does this mean for Celtic's left-back search?

Saracchi's decision not to move permanently leaves Martin O'Neill light at left-back unless he shifts Liam Scales from centre-back. Edinburgh News also floated Dundee United's Will Ferry as another option being considered after he turned down a £1.7m move to the Czech Republic.

For now, the headline Penrice story has flipped from enquiry to standstill. Celtic made contact, then did not follow through, and James Penrice looks set to remain at AEK Athens unless a fresh approach emerges later in the window.