MARTIN O’NEILL has revealed Celtic have offered a two-year contract to Kelechi Iheanacho.
The Nigerian international striker, who will be 30 in October, is mulling over the deal amid interest from Qatar and Saudi Arabia.
And O’Neill admitted he hadn’t given up hope of bringing back fans’ favourite Julian Araujo for a second spell at the champions following his impressive short-term period after his January arrival from Bournemouth.
The 74-year-old Irishman is determined to add numbers to his squad with transfer speculation continuing to surround Japanese double-act Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate, Belgian playmaker Arne Engels, the club’s record purchase at £11million, and Swedish World Cup star Benjamin Nygren, who claimed 21 goals in his debut campaign at the Hoops.
HALLELUJAH…Kelechi Iheanacho celebrates his goal in Celtic’s 3-1 Scottish Cup Final triumph over Dunfermline at Hampden on May 23.
O’Neill has brought back former England international middle-of-the-park performer Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain on a 12-month extension while the club have splashed £5.5million on Colombian striker Camilo Duran from Qarabag.
Preparing for some feverish activity between now and the window closing at 5pm on Thursday September 3, the team chief said: “We’re trying to come to some sort of agreement with Iheanacho and we are definitely making moves.
“I am in constant touch with chief executive Michael Nicholson, who is in the background working away.
“I don’t know about numbers, but I am definitely optimistic we will get players in.
“I think to balance things up we’d have to let a few players go, but I’m hoping to be in a position to do that with others coming in.
“I’ve very hopeful about Iheanacho.”
GOVAN GLEE…Julian Araujo celebrates Celtic’s late goal in the 2-2 draw at Ibrox in Match.
On the possibility of Calfornia-born Mexican international defender Arauajo making a comeback at the Hoops, O’Neill, speaking to the Daily Record, added: “He did very well for us before picking up an injury at an inopportune time.
“We are talking about a fight for right-back with Ali Johnston and Colby Donovan.
“I don’t know if Bournemouth would loan him out again, I would think they would want to sell him.
“I would keep it open, because you don’t know what could happen.
“If it was all within our scope it’s something I would definitely look at, because he would be up for the fight.
“I haven’t been in contact with him for a few weeks, but, overall, I don’t know what Bournemouth’s position is.”
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