Celtic boss targets reunion with 45-goal international striker as club eye triple January transfer boost
Celtic head coach Wilfried Nancy is hoping to reunite with one of his former players.
Celtic boss Wilfried Nancy is plotting a January swoop for a familiar face, hoping a reunion with one of his former stars can finally end the club’s search for a striker, according to reports.
A toiling final day in the summer window saw the club rejected by Denmark international Kasper Dolberg and Chelsea youngster David Datro Fofana, before they finally struck up a deal with former Manchester City striker and free agent Kelechi Iheanacho in the hours after the window had shut.
However, the Nigerian striker has managed to score just two league goals for the club since his arrival, and has also missed the last six weeks with a hamstring injury, meaning Celtic are likely to target striking additions during the January transfer window.
With the window set to re-open in a little over three weeks, reports claim the 48-year-old boss is now targeting a raid on his former club, Columbus Crew, with their star striker, Diego Rossi, reported to be firmly in his sights.
The Uruguay international scored 45 goals for the American outfit during Nancy’s time in charge of the club, and was the Frenchman’s key player as he helped the club win the MLS title in 2023, and is believed to be valued at around £7.4million.
The 27-year-old began his career in his homeland with Penarol, scoring 13 goals in 46 appearances to help his side claim two Uruguayan league titles, before he left to join Los Angeles FC, where he quickly established himself as a prolific scorer with 48 goals in 104 matches over three seasons, including a record-breaking 2020 Golden Boot win at age 22. A move to Fenerbahce would follow in 2021, though he struggled in the Turkish Süper Lig before returning to the United States with the Columbus Crew in August 2023.
Alongside Rossi, reports claim that the Glasgow giants are ready to battle EFL Championship side Wrexham for the signature of Scotland international Andy Irving. The former Hearts academy star has fallen down the pecking order at West Ham United, and a January exit is possible.
Celtic are also understood to be leading the race to sign Shamrock Rovers teenager Michael Noonan. The 17-year-old is one of Ireland’s hottest properties, and Celtic are said to be winning the race to sign him in January before loaning him back for the remainder of the season.
Elsewhere, Nicky Hayen has been sacked by Club Brugge just weeks after being linked with the vacant role at Celtic. The 45-year-old was named as one of the leading names to replace Brendan Rodgers, following his resignation from his position as manager in the aftermath of Celtic’s 3-1 defeat to league leaders Hearts, where he admitted he would “never say never in football.”
However, the Belgian boss now finds himself out of work after being dismissed by Blauw-Zwart in the aftermath of their 3-2 defeat to Sint-Truidense at the weekend. Already five points behind league leaders Union Saint-Gilloise in the race for the Pro League title, the club has confirmed KAA Gent boss Ivan Leko has been installed as Hayen's replacement.
Comments
Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.