Celtic have had a mixed start to the season, and despite sitting top of the Scottish Premiership, failure to qualify for the Champions League and an inability to sign a new striker in the transfer window have dampened the mood at Celtic Park.
In the final few days of the window, Brendan Rodgers’ side were frantically trying to bring in a replacement for the departing Adam Idah. Celtic were in negotiations for Anderlecht’s Kasper Dolberg, but that move fell through with the Danish striker returning to his former club Ajax.
In an even more concerning turn of events, deadline day saw Celtic try to sign Chelsea’s David Datro Fofana, but the 22-year-old opted to attempt a loan move to Championship side Charlton instead.
While they failed to sign their final player in the window, the Bhoys have received the unique opportunity to bring in their much-desired striker.
Celtic’s Iheanacho lifeline running out of time
Indeed, Celtic have received a second opportunity to sign their final striker target. On deadline day, the Hoops tried to sign Sevilla’s Kelechi Iheanacho, but this move did not materialise. However, Rodgers has been offered a transfer lifeline as Sevilla and Iheanacho have reached an agreement to terminate his contract. The Nigerian striker had one year left on his deal in Spain.
When revealing Celtic’s deadline day interest in Iheanacho, Anthony Joseph reported that it was the Scottish side’s second attempt to sign the midfielder as they also approached Sevilla about signing him in January, but he decided to go out on loan to Middlesbrough instead.
As a free agent, Celtic have the opportunity to recruit Iheanacho outside of the usual transfer window. However, time is still of the essence for Celtic as they have to submit their UEFA Europa League group stage squad by 11 pm on Tuesday. This means that if they want Iheanacho in Europe, they have to sign and register him as soon as possible.
Iheanacho can revitalise his career at Celtic
Some fans may be concerned that the striker they may end up with was quite a way down their shopping list and that his club would rather terminate his contract than keep him for another season. However, he has shown in the past that he is a more than capable striker who can help Celtic in their multiple cup campaigns.
British football fans will most likely be familiar with Iheanacho from his time in the Premier League with Manchester City and Leicester City. While he never set the world alight in England, he was always playing second fiddle to another striker.
In both Manchester and Leicester, he was rotated with club legends Sergio Aguero and Jamie Vardy, respectively, and he only reached 30 league appearances in a season on one occasion. This means that despite only averaging just over 8 goal involvements a season, he actually averaged a goal involvement about every 98 minutes of play time.
While the move to Sevilla undoubtedly didn’t work out, given a new opportunity and ample game time, Iheanacho has a good chance of rediscovering his Premier League form and prolificness in front of goal.