Celtic have just over two weeks remaining to strengthen their squad before the January transfer window closes.
One player who appears unlikely to return to Parkhead is Kyogo Furuhashi. Earlier this month, reports suggested the club was in talks with Birmingham to bring him back, but Martin O’Neill has effectively ruled out a deal. The Japan international reportedly wants to focus on proving himself at Birmingham less than a year after leaving Rennes for England. As a result, Celtic must explore alternative options to add firepower for the second half of the season.
Celtic targeting Bundesliga striker
The Hoops are now turning their attention to other forwards and are reportedly pursuing Andrej Ilic from Bundesliga side Union Berlin. According to TEAMtalk, the Serbian centre-forward has emerged as a key target for O’Neill, although the deal is expected to be challenging. Union Berlin are asking for a fee of around £9 million, and several other European clubs are reportedly interested in Ilic, making this a competitive transfer situation.
Despite these obstacles, Celtic are determined to push for his signature and see him as a priority for the January window.
Why Andrej Ilic could be a smart signing
At first glance, some supporters may be concerned by Ilic’s lack of goals this season in the Bundesliga. However, Kyogo has also failed to find the net in 23 Championship appearances for Birmingham. Looking beyond the raw goal tally, Ilic contributes significantly as a creator and a physical presence for his team, offering more versatility than Kyogo.
Last season, Ilic scored seven goals from 4.89 xG in the Bundesliga, showing that he is capable of converting chances efficiently at a high level. Earlier in his career, he scored 42 goals in 87 matches for RFS and 11 goals in 16 games for Valerenga, highlighting his potential to be a prolific scorer when supported by a dominant team. Journalist Josh Bunting has described Ilic as a “dangerous” player, emphasizing his creativity and impact on the pitch even when not scoring regularly.
Overall, signing Ilic would provide Celtic with a more complete and dynamic option at centre-forward compared to attempting to bring Kyogo back, combining physicality, creativity, and finishing potential in one package.