Celtic have actively advanced their summer transfer plans by opening official discussions to sign FC Aarau’s clinical striker Elias Filet. The Scottish Premiership champions are determined to bolster their attacking ranks ahead of a demanding domestic and European campaign, with manager Martin O’Neill identifying the prolific French forward as a primary target to lead the line at Parkhead next season.
According to a breaking report from Sky Sports Switzerland, the Glasgow giants have accelerated their pursuit of the highly-rated frontman. The Hoops hierarchy reportedly held a productive video conference call with Filet’s representatives on Tuesday afternoon to map out personal terms and discuss the sporting project awaiting him in Scotland. Celtic’s immediate strategy is to establish a firm agreement with the player’s camp before launching formal club-to-club negotiations with FC Aarau.
The 24-year-old marksman has taken the Swiss Challenge League by storm since sealing a permanent move to the second-tier outfit in January 2025. Filet has registered a phenomenal return of 20 goals and four assists in just 34 league appearances, a record that has quickly caught the attention of scout networks across the United Kingdom and continental Europe. His relentless form in front of goal has made his departure from Switzerland this summer seem almost inevitable.
While the opportunity to move to Paradise and pull on the famous green and white hoops carries immense appeal, Celtic are far from the only club looking to secure his coveted signature. The Bhoys face stiff, multi-way competition from the continent. Belgian Pro League heavyweights KRC Genk and French Ligue 1 side FC Lorient are both aggressively trailing the striker.
Reports out of France indicate that Lorient have maintained consistent dialogue with Filet’s management team and are currently finalizing a concrete financial package to present to Aarau. Meanwhile, KRC Genk have already stolen a march on their rivals by tabling an official opening bid. Despite this intense counter-interest, Celtic hold a massive trump card that could ultimately dictate the player’s final decision: the guaranteed allure of UEFA Champions League group-stage football.
Standing at a commanding 6ft 1in, Filet possesses the physical profile required to thrive in the notoriously rugged and high-tempo environment of Scottish football. Scouts have consistently praised his aerial prowess, exceptional movement inside the penalty box, and clinical finishing ability. Operating primarily as a traditional number nine, the Frenchman is renowned for his superb heading capability and a powerful, lightning-quick left foot that allows him to execute strikes from distance or snap-shots under pressure.
O’Neill’s tactical system demands an elite level of physical output from his central strikers, requiring a player who can act as a reliable focal point, hold up the ball against physical central defenders, and bring dynamic wingers into the game. Filet’s natural upper-body strength, raw efficiency, and back-to-goal link-up play suggest he could seamlessly adapt to the heavy demands of leading the line in Glasgow, providing a completely different tactical dimension to Celtic’s current attacking options.
However, the Celtic recruitment team is deliberately keeping its options open, operating with a comprehensive shortlist of offensive targets as they prepare for a hectic transfer window. The club is fully aware that securing top-tier talent requires multiple contingency plans. Alongside their ongoing pursuit of Filet, the Hoops have been heavily credited with an interest in versatile Rodez AF winger Tairyk Arconte.
The 22-year-old Guadeloupean international enjoyed a breakout season in the French second division, netting 14 goals and providing three assists throughout a stellar Ligue 2 campaign. Arconte’s blistering pace and ability to operate across the entire front three make him an attractive, modern attacking profile. Yet, much like the race for Filet, Celtic will have to navigate a highly competitive market, with newly-promoted AJ Auxerre and English Championship outfit Millwall actively plotting their own summer moves for the young winger.
The Parkhead decision-makers are keen to wrap up their high-priority transfer business early in the window, allowing new signings ample time to integrate into the squad during pre-season training camps. Defending a domestic league title while simultaneously trying to make a genuine impact on the newly expanded Champions League stage will place an unprecedented physical strain on the squad. Celtic’s current depth upfront has occasionally looked thin under intense scheduling, and adding a proven, durable goalscorer like Filet is viewed internally as an absolute necessity rather than a luxury.
Further high-stakes talks between Celtic officials and Filet’s agents are scheduled to take place over the coming days as all parties look to find common ground on wage expectations, contract duration, and performance-related bonuses. Should those discussions reach a positive conclusion, Celtic are expected to immediately follow up with an official opening offer to FC Aarau to test the Swiss club’s financial resolve.
With rival bids already on the table from Genk and concrete interest mounting from Lorient, the Celtic board knows they must act swiftly and decisively. The Parkhead faithful will be watching closely, hoping the club can leverage its European pedigree to beat out continental competition and land one of the summer’s most exciting forward prospects.
