Sunderland linked with Ivorian winger Jocelin Ta Bi for multi-million pound transfer

Sunderland have been linked with Hapoel Petah Tikva player Jocelin Ta Bi, who is currently on loan at Maccabi Netanya, for an estimated £3 million.

Ta Bi, 20, was rumoured to be on his way north of the border to Celtic; however talks broke down, allegedly due to a failed medical, with the Black Cats reportedly also interested.

According to reports in Scotland, “an unnamed Premier League club are about to sign the 20-year-old”, with strong links to Sunderland.

Jocelin Ta Bi ye transfer teklifi gitmiş ancak oyuncuya Celtic’in de ilgisi var. pic.twitter.com/UaBsVgf0zG

— 433 Trabzonspor (@433Trabzon) December 30, 2025

The National newspaper in Scotland said that the deal at Celtic failed due to “an issue raised in his medical”, which “flagged up that he requires surgery and it emerged the deal was under review as a result”.

The winger had previously spoke about how a move to Celtic would be a “dream come true”, but it looks like the 20-year-old is set to make the trip to the North East, if a deal can be finalised, and he would be a player for the future, as apposed to a regular starter from the offset.

Ta Bi has played across the front line, but favours playing on the right wing, despite being left-footed.

The winger has made 40 appearances in his short career to-date, scoring seven goals and assisting five.

He began his career in the second division of Israeli football before being promoted to the top division with H. Petah Tikva.

Ta Bi carried on his good form, scoring two and assisting two in his first 12 games, which has seen European clubs enquire about him.

If Sunderland were to complete the deal, it would be their first signing of the January transfer window.