Sunderland completed a deal for Jocelin Ta Bi last week

The agent of new Sunderland signing Jocelin Ta Bi has opened up on the reasons behind his proposed move to Celtic collapsing prior to his arrival at the Stadium of Light last week.

For a long while, it had looked as if the Ivorian winger - who completed a £3.5 million switch to the Black Cats from Maccabi Netanya on Friday - was destined to link up with the Scottish champions, only for an agreement to seemingly unravel at the eleventh hour.

And now, in a fresh interview with Israeli outlet One, Ta Bi’s representative, Stav Hachmon, has given an insight into where he feels the player’s transfer to Celtic came unstuck.

What did Jocelin Ta Bi’s agent say about his failed move to Celtic and his transfer to Sunderland?

Addressing the fact that Ta Bi is carrying an ankle injury which has largely been credited as the reason for Celtic pulling out of a deal for the 20-year-old, Hachmon said: “There are always headlines. We read with pleasure and moved forward, it was a story. We didn't accept that the tests were not normal, he had them done in Israel, everything that was necessary.

“We knew and Celtic knew that he had an ankle injury from Roy Revivo's tackle, we were told that we needed to go to a well-known professor for his foot, we went there and felt that we weren't getting an answer. It was a very famous professor in London. We felt that they were dragging their feet, the player received messages from fans who didn't want him to come because of his ties to Israel. There were publications that money could go to the IDF, something crazy. There was a demonstration outside the stadium.”

When asked how Sunderland had then entered the race for Ta Bi, the agent continued: "They approached us all the way. We consulted with Gil Lev, who gave us extraordinary support. He told us that the decision we made would be accepted. Gil had one deal in hand, Celtic would sign him. When we sent them a letter that we had ultimately decided that the player would not sign for Celtic, I felt it was received with a certain relief.

“At first I told them we wouldn't do it, but the owner called me directly and said they really wanted the player. The professional project there is extraordinary. They painted for us exactly how they see Tabi's development at the club. They said he would be a full-time player for all intents and purposes. Very serious people, and together with the fact that the coach is French, we knew it would help."

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Detailing the extent of Ta Bi’s ankle issue, Hachmon said: "It's hard to say, we don't know if surgery is needed. I estimate no less than six weeks. If he makes his debut at the end of March or the beginning of April, that would be a huge achievement for us. We were open with the doctors there the whole way."

The agent also confirmed that his client has no release clause written into his contract on Wearside, while also emphasising his belief that the starlet has what it takes to make it in the Premier League. He said: "In my opinion, he is the best dribbler in the history of the State of Israel. I see him reaching the top of world football in two or three years. He is at these levels. Not just in my opinion."

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