Manager Fabrizio Romano has confirmed Celtic are eyeing a move for Chelsea’s striker this month as Martin O’Neill’s side look for a new number nine.
The Bhoys have stepped up their pursuit of attacking reinforcements in January, with O’Neill making a new centre-forward an absolute priority.
The Scottish giants are actively pursuing a move for Union Berlin striker Andrej Ilic, with the 25-year-old Serbian international reportedly emerging as a key target (TEAMtalk).
Sources say Celtic are prioritizing a deal described as “ambitious” and “extremely challenging” for the Bundesliga forward. Ilic made a permanent move from Lille to Union last summer after scoring 72 goals in 192 appearances.
However, with Union demanding around £9m and the player also attracting interest from Premier League side Burnley, securing a deal for the striker will be difficult.
Union have a contract with Ilic until 2027 and are in a strong negotiating position (Give Me Sport). The physical 6-foot-2 striker has six assists in 15 Bundesliga games this season, despite only scoring one goal in all competitions.
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According to Sports Witness newspaper Ouest France, Celtic have also submitted a loan offer with an option to buy for Lorient striker Mohamed Bamba.
The 24-year-old Ivorian has played 16 games this season, scoring three goals and providing two assists in 722 minutes (Sport Witness). However, serious concerns have been raised after Lorient coach Olivier Pantaloni left Bamba out of the squad for the recent Coupe de France match due to “repeated violations” of group discipline (GlasgowWorld).
O’Neill admitted earlier this week that the club is “working really hard” to add players during the January period (The Scotsman).
The manager also warned that Celtic could be in “serious trouble” without a January addition, given that Kelechi Iheanacho’s recurring hamstring problem means 22-year-old Johnny Kenny is Celtic’s only suitable natural striker.
New targets are always emerging amidst the hustle and bustle of January, and reliable transfer journalist Romano has revealed another name Celtic are keeping an eye on.
Celtic are interested in signing Chelsea striker David Datolo Fofana, who is set to leave the club.
The celebrity journalist, famous for his catchphrase ‘Let’s go’, has told X that Celtic are interested in exiled Chelsea striker David Datolo Fofana.
The 23-year-old has made just four appearances since joining Chelsea in 2023, with Fofana spending time on loan at various clubs with his long-term future at Stamford Bridge ruled out.
The Ivory Coast international currently has a provisional contract with Turkish Super Lig side Karagumluk, where he has scored seven goals in 14 competitive games.
Of course, O’Neill would have to end his loan spell for a deal to go ahead with Celtic, but O’Neill could find the perfect new home in Glasgow, which is desperate for a striker to salvage its Scottish Premiership hopes.
A clinical yet energetic forward who can bring a new dimension to the team is needed, and Fofana possesses many of the attributes O’Neill needs.
The former Burnley striker had a fruitful loan spell at Turf Moor in the second half of the 23/24 season, scoring four goals in the Premier League, with Vincent Kompany praising his attributes as a “very quick” and “aggressive” centre-forward.
Fofana scored 24 goals in 65 appearances for Molde, and his performances led Chelsea to sign him three years ago.
Scotland could be his ideal next landing spot and could give him a great chance to break north of the border.
