CELTIC are stepping up talks to bring striker Kelechi Iheanacho back to the champions for at least another season.
The Nigerian international, 29, was released from his contract by Sevilla before agreeing a deal at the Hoops last September with the option of another year.
The Parkhead club didn’t activate the clause and it looked as though the former Manchester City and Leicester City star, now a free agent, would be looking to play elsewhere in the new campaign.
TAKE-OFF…Kelechi Iheanacho is airborne as he celebrates his goal in Celtic’s 3-1 Scottish Cup Final triumph over Dunfermline at Hampden on May 23.
Iheanacho, scorer of some crucial goals last term, has been training on his own, but Martin O’Neill is eager to get him back to Scotland’s double winners to prepare him for the forthcoming season.
The Celtic gaffer, speaking to Sky Sports News, said: “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.
“I would like to have him. It would be nice. I’m definitely pursuing that at this minute.”
ON THE BALL…Marcelo Saracchi in action for Celtic.
O’Neill also admitted he is attempting to bring Marcelo Saracchi back to the club after the defender’s impressive season-long loan from Boca Juniors last time out.
The Irishman added that he was still looking for another striker, plus a goalkeeper to compete with Viljami Sinisalo following the enforced retirement of Kasper Schmeichel earlier this year.
Scotland’s title kings are also hoping to unveil Colombian frontman Camilo Duran from Qarabag within 24 hours while former England midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain signed an extension last week.
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