Celtic has missed out on re-signing forward Kelechi Iheanacho, who has agreed to a three-year contract with Turkish club Bursaspor. The 29-year-old Nigerian striker was a key player for Celtic last season, scoring nine goals across all competitions despite missing a significant portion of the campaign due to injury. His performances earned him a fan favorite status after arriving from Sevilla last summer.
Manager Martin O’Neill had expressed a desire to bring Iheanacho back to Glasgow for the upcoming season, and the player was reportedly open to discussions. However, Bursaspor, currently competing in Turkey's second division, secured his signature on Friday.
This development follows recent comments from Celtic Chief Executive Michael Nicholson, who admitted the club is facing challenges in attracting players this summer. Speaking at a supporters' meeting on July 4, Nicholson highlighted the difficulties in competing with teams from the English Premier League and Championship. He noted that the club is actively pursuing out-of-contract players, a strategy that may be met with frustration from the fanbase following Iheanacho's departure.
Celtic has made one new signing this summer, with Colombian forward Camilo Duran joining from Qarabag. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has also extended his contract after a successful short-term agreement last season.
O’Neill has been vocal about the need to strengthen the squad, while acknowledging that potential player departures must be considered in recruitment plans. There is expected interest in World Cup star Daizen Maeda, who has expressed a desire to test himself at a higher level. The future of Reo Hatate remains uncertain after an inconsistent campaign, and the club is also bracing for potential bids for 22-year-old midfielder Arne Engels, with Nottingham Forest having previously made a £25 million offer in January.
Celtic is preparing for their pre-season schedule, with a match against Championship side Middlesbrough scheduled for Saturday. They are also set to host Serie A club AC Milan on July 25 before beginning their Premiership title defense against Dundee on August 3.