CELTIC will NOT pursue hopes of bringing back Julian Araujo – unless there is a dramatic change in the situation at the champions.
The California-born right-back had an impressive short-term loan spell at Parkhead last season after arriving from Bournemouth.
Araujo solved the immediate problem in the No.2 position with Canadian international Alistair Johnston sidelined following his hamstring strain sustained in the Europa League match against Sturm Graz on October 23.
Neither Anthony Ralston nor Colby Donovan was overly-convincing in the role and the 24-year-old energetic attack-minded back-four operator was called in from the Premier League outfit.
RISE AND SHINE…Julian Araujo leaps high to head clear in Celtic’s Scottish Cup penalty-kick shoot-out triumph in the quarter-final at Ibrox in March.
Araujo became an instant hit with the Hoops fans and his cult status soared after he had fired in a stoppage-time winner against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park on February 15 as the champions overturned a two-goal interval deficit.
Unfortunately, the player made only 13 appearances for the Hoops after sustaining a quad strain in the Scottish Cup quarter-final penalty-kick shoot-out triumph at Ibrox on March 8.
When the injury failed to respond to treatment, it was clear Araujo’s time at Parkhead was at an end and he took to Instagram to post: “I’m truly grateful to Celtic Football Club for welcoming me from day one and making Glasgow feel like home.
“Wearing this badge and experiencing the passion, history, and energy of this club is something I’ll carry with me forever.”
It appears Araujo is surplus to requirements at the south coast club and speculation over his future has been ramped up during the summer which has been fuelled by reports from a Mexican sports outlet he has knocked back two offers to join local clubs, Cruz Azul and Toluca.
JOY BHOY…Julian Araujo races towards the Celtic fans after firing in the stopage-time winner over Kilmarnock at Rugby Park in February.
They insist the player wants to remain in Europe and that has trigged talk of a return to Celtic.
At this stage in the transfer window any move for the popular character is highly unlikely.
For a start, right-back is not seen as a priority position to be strengthened with the squad in dire need of reinforcements in other areas such as goalkeeper, left-back, midfield and striker.
Bournemouth paid £8.5million to Barcelona for Araujo in August 2024 and will want to recoup a sizeable amount of that fee to sell a player who is under contract until June 2029.
It would take at least an offer of £6.5million to get the top-flight club to the negotiating table.
Araujo’s wages are also reported to be in the £50,000-per-week bracket and there is no way the Hoops will match that sort of cash.
The only way the landscape could be altered significantly would be if Johnston was to leave Parkhead.
PRIZE GUY…Alistair Johnston celebrates sealing the double after the 3-1 Scottish Cup Final victory over Dunfermline at Hampden in May.
Once again, the reliable full-back has been involved in transfer conjecture after impressing for his nation in the World Cup Finals.
Coincidentally, Johnston arrived in Glasgow from CF Montreal in a £3.75million move in January 2023 following convincing displays for Canada during the tournament in Qatar 2022.
Since then, his market value has risen considerably with steady performances for club and country.
On the possibility of a return for Araujo, Martin O’Neill, speaking in a CQN report last week, admitted: “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.”
The picture will become clearer as the September 3 deadline edges ever closer.
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