The transfer window is heating up in Glasgow, and Celtic are showing absolutely no signs of slowing down.
Celtic are said to be edging closer to their next signing after Camilo Duran. The Bhoys finally kick-started their summer business with the £5.5million signing of the Qarabag frontman, who scored five Champions League goals last season.
With those pieces of the puzzle solved, Celtic are now aggressively lining up a second striker deal to ensure they have the fire-power necessary to defend their domestic double and make a serious push in the expanded European format.
The Striker Dilemma at Celtic Park
There was no hiding the massive depth issue developing in Celtic’s frontline as the summer transfer window opened. Following a triumphant campaign, the squad underwent a mini-exodus in the attacking department. Kelechi Iheanacho’s short-term contract expired, rendering him a free agent, while neither of the two strikers who spent last season on loan at the club were kept on permanent deals.
Consequently, when July 1 rolled around, the Hoops found themselves in a precarious position, with just one lone, out-and-out senior striker on their official books. Relying on a solitary target man is a recipe for disaster for any club, let alone one competing across four intense fronts. The arrival of Camilo Durán immediately alleviated some of that pressure, pushing that number to two.
However, football logic dictates that a club of Celtic’s stature requires at least three recognized, specialized strikers to navigate a grueling ten-month season. While versatile assets like Daizen Maeda are always available to fill in centrally and offer a blistering option through the middle when crisis strikes, his primary responsibilities remain out wide. To achieve a perfectly balanced squad, another natural number nine is an absolute necessity.
According to an exclusive report from Football Insider, that vital third slot is on the verge of being filled. Celtic are reportedly closing in on a breakthrough deal to bring Kelechi Iheanacho back to Glasgow on a fresh, permanent contract.
The Case for Re-Signing Kelechi Iheanacho
The Nigerian international initially joined the club in the second half of last season, and despite battling minor integration and fitness setbacks, he proved to be an invaluable component of the championship-winning machine. Iheanacho developed a reputation for scoring incredibly heavy goals. His late, clutch winners against the likes of Kilmarnock, Dundee, Hibernian, and Motherwell single-handedly rescued a massive 12 points in the tightly contested title race.
| Kelechi Iheanacho – Celtic Stats Last Season | Total |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 24 |
| Total Goals (All Competitions) | 9 |
| League Goals / League Starts | 5 Goals / 4 Starts |
| League Points Secured via Match-Winners | 12 Points |
Manager Martin O’Neill has made no secret of his admiration for the 29-year-old forward. Speaking to reporters earlier this week, O’Neill spoke candidly about his desire to finalize a deal, acknowledging that getting the striker through the door as quickly as possible is the club’s number-one priority.
“I’d like to do something with him. That’s the point. Of course, if we can do something relatively quickly, at least he then gets started in pre-season, which is really important for him. It’s something he didn’t have last year. After about three minutes, he was injured against Sturm Graz and he then hurt himself in the League Cup Final as well. So that would be nice. I’m definitely pursuing that at this minute.”
— Martin O’Neill
O’Neill’s public backing appears to have catalyzed the Celtic hierarchy. Negotiations are currently locked in with Iheanacho’s representatives, and sources close to the club indicate that the deal is on the verge of completion.
The Verdict: An Obvious Win with Slight Selection Questions
From a tactical and financial standpoint, re-signing Iheanacho is a complete no-brainer. He has already definitively proven that he can handle the immense psychological pressure of playing for Celtic, and he adapted seamlessly to the notoriously physical, unforgiving nature of Scottish football. He is currently a free agent, meaning Celtic do not have to part with a single penny in terms of a transfer fee—allowing them to reallocate their substantial budget to other crucial areas of need, such as replacing the retired Kasper Schmeichel in goal.
The only lingering point of frustration for the fans and pundits alike is the timing of the deal. If Martin O’Neill felt so strongly about Iheanacho having a complete, unhurried pre-season to build his baseline fitness, it begs the question: Why did Celtic wait until mid-July to make their move?
Allowing him to leave as a free agent on July 1 meant he missed out on the initial training blocks in Ireland and the current trip to Portugal. Had Celtic acted decisively at the end of May, Iheanacho would already be fully integrated, fully fit, and building on-field chemistry with new signings like Camilo Durán.
Despite the minor procedural delay, getting this deal over the line is a massive victory for the champions. With Durán bringing youthful exuberance and European pedigree, and Iheanacho offering proven, ice-cold Premiership execution, Celtic’s frontline is shaping up to look far more formidable than it did just a week ago.