Celtic renew interest in EPL summer transfer target as enquiry made for £6m-rated hotshot
The striker was linked to Celtic during the summer transfer window
Celtic have reignited their interest in summer transfer target David Datro Fofana as they seek to add some much-needed firepower to their ranks this month.
The 23-year-old Chelsea striker rejected a loan move to Celtic Park in the summer, and instead made a temporary switch to Turkish Super Lig club Fatih Karagumruk, where he has been in excellent form, scoring seven goals in 14 appearances.
Fofana was a target for the former head coach, Brendan Rodgers, on deadline day, but the Ouragahio-born striker decided to remain in London, with Charlton Athletic making a late offer for the striker. However, the EFL Championship outfit failed to register the paperwork in time.
His failed transfer to the Valley resulted in him moving to the Turkish top flight instead, where he’s flourished under head coach Aleksandar Stanojevic, even though Karagumruk are struggling at the bottom of the league. Despite his goal-scoring form at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium, his parent club is now working on a deal that will see Fofana make a permanent move away from Stamford Bridge.
According to a report from Italian transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano, Celtic are one of three clubs that have expressed an interest in signing the Ivorian, with Royal Antwerp and Derby County ready to battle the Scottish champions for the frontman’s signature.
Earlier this week, manager Martin O’Neill admitted the club is “working hard” to add to their squad this month, and has conceded a striker is a priority, leading the Hoops to be linked with Lorient striker Mohamed Bamba, while reports on Wednesday morning named Union Berlin striker Andrej Ilic as a target for the Glasgow giants. However, a move for the £9million-rated Serbian international was described as ‘ambitious’.
Ahead of the Scottish Premiership clash with Falkirk on Wednesday night, O’Neill said: “Nothing has changed really, even when I've been out of the game, the January transfer window has always been difficult. Unless you've identified a player that you absolutely know is going to improve your team and you're prepared to spend money on him, I think it becomes more difficult.”
Meanwhile, the club has also been credited with an interest in FC Basel winger Philip Otele. The Nigerian winger has registered 13 goal contributions at St. Jakob-Park this season, and has courted interest from across Europe, with Wolverhampton Wanderers, AFC Bournemouth, Lazio, and Birmingham City all said to be keeping an eye on the 26-year-old.
The former CFR Cluj star is understood to be able to leave the Swiss champions this month for a fee of around £6million, and Celtic have been named as one of the sides currently considering a January bid for the Port Harcourt-born attacker.
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