Plans to complete the deal are now under review, however, after tests showed up that the Maccabi Netanya right winger requires surgery for a medical issue.
Regarded as a prospect for the future Celtic could return for Ta Bi in the summer but now look likely to turn their attention to other targets after the latest set back to plans to reinforce the squad this month.
Championship side Preston North End are keen on Parkhead winger Hyun-jun Yang, with the South Korean coming close to a move to Birmingham City in the summer. Highly rated by Martin O’Neill Yang has now scored in back to back games against Rangers and Dundee United, the Ta Bi set back making a sale this month unlikely.
Uruguayan right winger Ignacio Laquintana is keen on a move to Glasgow, with talks taking place over a loan move with a possible option to buy the 26-year-old in the summer.
Also seeking goals in attack an attempt to bring former Parkhead striker Kyogo Furuhashi back to Glasgow now looks doomed after the former fans favourite decided he wanted to fight for his place at Birmingham, scoring his second goal for the club in Saturday’s 3-2 win over Cambridge United.
Celtic have also moved to recall central defender Stephen Welsh from a successful loan spell at Motherwell.
A revelation for Jens Berthel Askou’s side, the loss of the 25-year-old comes after the Parkhead side made the call this afternoon.
Scouring the market for a right sided central defender after losing Cameron Carter-Vickers to long term injury Welsh could still head back to Fir Park if the champions manage to strengthen the position before the end of the window.