Celtic have reignited their interest this summer.
Turkish transfer journalist Ekrem Konur reports that the Scottish champions are once again exploring a deal for the 22-year-old Colombian international.
Celtic Return for Asprilla Amid Busy Window
The move will not be straightforward.
Girona, now competing in Spain’s second tier after relegation from La Liga, are not keen on letting the player leave.
Asprilla himself reportedly wants out and is determined to keep playing top-flight football.
Valencia and Serie A side Lecce are also interested according to Konur.
Colombian journalist Pipe Sierra has previously reported on the situation as well.
Previous Attempt Ends in Galatasaray Loan
This is not a new name for Celtic.
The club approached Girona in January only for Galatasaray to win the race for a loan deal.
Asprilla spent the second half of last season in Istanbul before returning to Spain this summer.
His spell in Turkey proved far from ideal.
A knee oedema disrupted his time at Galatasaray.
His league statistics make fairly grim reading with no goals and no assists across seven Süper Lig appearances.
Looking Beyond the Numbers
Look beyond the headline numbers though and there is more to like.
Asprilla’s progressive carrying and dribbling numbers put him among the stronger players in those categories.
That is exactly the sort of weapon Celtic have been missing against stubborn Premiership defences.
Give him the ball, isolate a full-back and let him run at him.
Girona boss Quique Álvarez has described the winger as “brave” for the way he tries to dictate play under pressure.
Why Celtic Need Width Right Now
Celtic’s need for width is obvious under Martin O’Neill.
Nicolas Kühn has left the club.
Jocelin Ta Bi was signed as a potential replacement but was taken by Sunderland before making a competitive appearance for Celtic.
That leaves O’Neill with fewer convincing options when teams park themselves deep.
Asprilla offers something different.
He is 22, has 11 Colombia caps and has already tasted Champions League football with Girona.
Financial Reality Check
There is a financial question of course.
Girona paid Watford €18 million for him in 2024 while his current market valuation sits closer to €13.5m.
A loan with an option to buy could make considerably more sense for Celtic than committing heavily upfront.
For a player whose game is built around taking risks and attacking defenders that is an opportunity worth pursuing.
Girona’s resistance remains the problem.
Celtic need the player to force the issue before Valencia or Lecce do.
Tactical Fit Under Martin O’Neill
Martin O’Neill’s side have already shown their attacking potential this season.
New signing Camilo Duran scored twice in the impressive 3-0 first-leg win over LASK that put Celtic on the brink of the Champions League league phase.
The Hoops have spent close to £30 million on four summer arrivals so far.
Yet the lack of consistent wide threat continues to stand out in certain matches.
Against deep-lying Premiership blocks Celtic often struggle to create overloads.
Asprilla’s ability to carry the ball at pace and beat his man one-on-one would give O’Neill a genuine game-changer on the right flank.
His left foot offers natural balance too.
That profile has been missing since Kühn’s departure.
Recent Form and Squad Depth Concerns
Celtic currently sit top of the Scottish Premiership after a strong start.
They have shown clinical finishing in attack but creativity from wide areas has been patchy.
James Forrest remains a reliable option at 35 while Yang Hyun-Jun continues to develop.
Neither provides the same explosive progressive carrying that Asprilla brings.
Supporters have already taken notice of the renewed link.
Many fans on social media have described the potential deal as exactly the type of ambitious move required to keep pace with the demands of domestic and European football.
Others remain cautious about the fee and the player’s recent form in Turkey.
The knee issue last season still raises questions about his readiness for a full campaign.
Competition and Timing Critical
Valencia and Lecce both offer top-flight football which Asprilla clearly prioritises.
Girona’s refusal to sell complicates matters further after their relegation.
The Spanish club view the Colombian as a key asset for their promotion push.
Yet the player’s desire to leave could force their hand if Celtic structure the right package.
A loan with an option would limit the immediate financial risk for the Parkhead side.
It would also allow O’Neill to assess the winger in a high-pressure environment before committing fully.
Celtic’s recent Champions League progress has strengthened their position in the market.
The potential windfall from reaching the league phase gives the club extra room to manoeuvre on deals like this one.
What Fans Are Saying
Celtic supporters have mixed but largely positive reactions to the reports.
Many see Asprilla as the missing piece that could unlock tighter games later in the season.
Others point to the competition and question whether the player will choose Glasgow over Spain or Italy.
The fact Celtic tried in January and missed out still lingers in some discussions.
Nevertheless the consensus is clear among large sections of the support.
O’Neill needs another wide option capable of beating full-backs and creating chaos in the final third.
Looking Ahead
The coming days will reveal whether Celtic can turn this renewed interest into concrete negotiations.
Asprilla’s progressive style matches the type of football O’Neill wants to play when the team faces packed defences.
His age and international experience add further appeal.
At 22 he still has significant room to develop under the right coaching.
Girona’s stance remains the biggest obstacle.
If the player forces the issue and Celtic move quickly they could yet land a high-upside addition before the window closes.
For now the reports from Konur and previous updates from Sierra keep Asprilla firmly on the radar at Celtic Park.
Whether it ends in a deal or another near miss remains to be seen but the interest is real and the need is clear.