Celtic manager Martin O'Neill has confirmed the club is in talks to re-sign Kelechi Iheanacho, the striker who played a pivotal role in last season's title triumph. The 29-year-old Nigerian is a free agent after his one-year deal expired at the end of June.
Iheanacho return a priority
Iheanacho, a cult hero at Parkhead, scored several dramatic winners that fired Celtic to the league championship. He is currently training alone as negotiations continue with his representatives. O'Neill expressed his desire to bring him back, saying: "I'd like to do something with him. That's the point. Of course, if we can do something relatively quickly, at least he then gets started in pre-season, which is really important for him."
O'Neill noted that Iheanacho missed pre-season last year and subsequently suffered injuries, including one after just three minutes against Sturm Graz and another in the League Cup Final. "So that would be nice. I'm definitely pursuing that at this minute," he added.
Camilo Duran nears £6m move
Colombian attacker Camilo Duran is finalising a £6 million transfer from Qarabag after arriving in the UK for a medical. The 24-year-old is expected to sign a five-year deal within the next 24 hours. O'Neill is pleased to be closing in on his first summer addition but admitted he still seeks another goalscorer, with up to three more forwards on his radar.
"Yes, that's what I'd be hoping for. I think he can link play-up and things like this, but I think maybe we could do with somebody who can put the ball in the net," O'Neill said.
Johnny Kenny recovering from injury
Irish striker Johnny Kenny, 23, was part of Celtic's travelling party to Dublin for a pre-season friendly against Shelbourne but did not play as he recovers from a knee injury. Kenny impressed on loan at Bolton, scoring five goals in succession before his season was cut short. O'Neill said: "Johnny's here at this minute. He's got another three or four weeks before he's fit. Like everything else, you're waiting around for things to happen."
Left-back search continues
O'Neill is also keen to strengthen other areas, particularly left-back, where Kieran Tierney is the only recognised senior option. Celtic had a loan bid for Marcelo Saracchi rejected by Boca Juniors last month, but O'Neill hopes to secure a deal. "I'd like to take him back if it's at all possible because if anything, I jokingly said I would give him a 25-year contract for making the goal (against Hearts). We have had conversations with his agent at this minute, so we'll see where that goes," he said.
Goalkeeper needed after Schmeichel retirement
With Kasper Schmeichel retired and only Viljami Sinisalo and Ross Doohan as options, O'Neill confirmed the club is looking for another goalkeeper. "Because we've only got Sinisalo here at this minute and we've got Ross, we're definitely looking for another goalkeeper. Whether it be a youngish fellow, same age as Sinisalo, or somebody a bit older, we're definitely looking at it," he added.
