Celtic 'ponder next transfer move after initial bid for striker rejected'
O’Neill keen for reinforcements in final third of pitch
Celtic are weighing up their next move in their pursuit of Qarabag forward Camilo Duran after their initial bid was knocked back, according to Azeri media reports.
It is being claimed that Celtic’s offer of £1.7 million plus add-ons for Duran has been rejected by Qarabag, who are eyeing a substantial profit on the £200,000 they spent to land the Colombian a year ago.
Duran, 24, joined from Portuguese side Portimonense last summer and netted 15 goals this season, including five in the Champions League. And it has emerged that Celtic are keen to bring him to Glasgow.
Duran can play as either a winger or a striker and with Celtic manager Martin O’Neill keen to reinforce his attacking options, Celtic could up their bid as they model their squad for the 2026/27 campaign.
Media outlet Offsideplus.az reports that a bid in the region of £2.5m could be enough to tempt Qarabag into selling Duran and that the original offer was booted out by club officials on Friday morning.
Celtic’s need for reinforcements in the final third of the pitch is pressing given that loanees Tomas Cvancara and Junior Adamu have returned to their parent clubs, while Kelechi Iheanacho’s contract has expired.
Last season’s star striker Daizen Maeda, who has one more year on his contract, admitted earlier this week that he wants a new challenge after the work, stating that he needs to move on to improve his game.
Furthermore, wide man Jota remains out with a cruciate knee ligament injury and may not be back until the end of the year.
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