Celtic winger Luis Palma’s Hoops future has looked in doubt all month, with a move to La Liga side Rayo Vallecano hindered due to the Spanish side suffering a temporary transfer ban by FIFA. The Honduran international has a host of clubs across Europe interested; however, one team appears set to win the race.
Palma did come off the bench tonight for Celtic against Aston Villa in the Champions League, playing the final 17 minutes of the game. However, the 4-2 defeat against Unai Emery’s side may be his last appearance for the Hoops.
Current Europa Conference League winners Olympiacos are reportedly set to sign Palma, with journalist Giannis Chorianopoulos reporting on X: “Olympiacos are really close to signing Luis Palma from Celtic.”
Palma was set to join Vallecano on loan with an option to make the move permanent for £2.1 million. Whether a similar deal is agreed between Celtic and Olympiacos remains to be seen.
However, with Jota rejoining on Monday, it appeared the Portuguese winger’s return to Glasgow signified the end for Palma, with Jota more of a replacement for the Honduran than Kyogo—despite some of the belief that Jota would instead replace the Japanese forward.
He will leave Celtic with everyone’s best wishes if he does depart this month. Despite failing to replace Jota during his 18 months in Glasgow, there is clearly a player in there, and a move away from the Hoops will likely benefit both parties.
With Olympiacos, Palma looks to have a great opportunity to rebuild his career, with the move to Celtic, in all honesty, probably coming too soon for him.
