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Celtic say they want “very fast” striker as Chelsea try to sell him
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Celtic are eyeing up a Chelsea striker this month as Martin O’Neill‘s side scour for a new number nine.
The Bhoys are stepping up their pursuit of January striking reinforcements, with O’Neill making a new centre-forward his absolute priority.
The Scottish giants are actively exploring a move for Union Berlin striker Andrej Ilic, with the 25-year-old Serbian international reportedly emerging as a key target (TEAMtalk).
Sources indicate Celtic are prioritising what has been described as an “ambitious” and “extremely challenging” deal for the Bundesliga forward. Ilic boasts an impressive record of 72 goals in 192 career appearances and joined Union permanently last summer from Lille.
However, securing the striker’s signature will prove difficult, with Union demanding around £9m and the player also attracting interest from Premier League side Burnley.
Union hold a strong negotiating position with Ilic contracted until 2027 (Give Me Sport). The physical 6 ft 2 striker has managed 6 assists in 15 Bundesliga appearances this season, despite scoring just once in all competitions.
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Celtic have also reportedly submitted a loan offer with an option to buy for Lorient striker Mohamed Bamba, according to French outlet Ouest-France (Sport Witness).
The 24-year-old Ivorian has scored 3 goals and provided 2 assists in 722 minutes from 16 matches this season (Sport Witness). However, serious concerns have emerged after Lorient manager Olivier Pantaloni dropped Bamba from his squad for their recent Coupe de France clash due to “repeated lapses” in group discipline (GlasgowWorld).
O’Neill confirmed earlier in the week the club is “genuinely working really hard” to add players during the January window (The Scotsman).
The manager also warned Celtic could be in “serious trouble” without January reinforcements, given 22-year-old Johnny Kenny is their only fit natural striker following Kelechi Iheanacho’s recurring hamstring problems.
New targets are emerging all the time amidst the hustle and bustle of January, and reliable transfer journalist Romano has now lifted the lid on another name Celtic are looking at.
Celtic express interest in signing exit-bound Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana
Taking to X, the renowned reporter, famous for his ‘here we go’ catchphrase, says that Celtic are expressing an interest in outcast Chelsea striker David Datro Fofana.
The 23-year-old has made just four appearances for Chelsea since joining them in 2023, with Fofana spending time on loan at various clubs minus any long-term future at Stamford Bridge.
The Ivory Coast international is currently on a temporary deal at Karagümrük in the Turkish Süper Lig, where he’s scored seven goals in 14 outings across all competitions.
For a Celtic deal to happen, the loan would have to be terminated, of course, but he could find the perfect new home in Glasgow, where O’Neill is craving a striker to rescue their hopes of a Scottish Premiership crown.
The chase is on for a clinical yet energetic forward who can bring a new dimension to the team, and Fofana possesses a lot of the traits required by O’Neill.
The former Burnley striker scored four Premier League goals over a productive loan spell at Turf Moor during the second half of 23/24, where Vincent Kompany praised his attributes as a ‘very fast’ and ‘aggressive’ centre-forward.
For Molde, Fofana bagged 24 goals in 65 appearances, and that form prompted Chelsea to seal a deal three years ago.
Scotland could be the ideal next landing spot for him, where he could have a golden opportunity to rip it up north of the border.
