Celtic Chase £9m Rated EPL Defender Deal

  Celtic are exploring a January loan for Bournemouth right-back Julian Araujo, with Wilfried Nancy keen to strengthen quickly once the wind...

 

Celtic are exploring a January loan for Bournemouth right-back Julian Araujo, with Wilfried Nancy keen to strengthen quickly once the window opens.

The 24-year-old is expected to leave on a temporary deal after limited minutes this season, and Celtic are among the clubs to have made an enquiry. [SunSport]

Araujo is well known to Nancy. Although capped 16 times by Mexico, he grew up in the United States and came through LA Galaxy while Nancy worked in MLS with CF Montréal and Columbus Crew. That familiarity helps explain his emergence as a target.

Tactically, Araujo fits Nancy’s 3-4-2-1. He can operate as a wing-back and brings pace, recovery runs, and the athleticism to play high and wide. Celtic have lacked those qualities on the right this season.

Araujo joined Bournemouth in the summer of 2024 for a reported £9 million after a brief spell with Barcelona. He also spent time on loan at Las Palmas in La Liga, which gives him experience across multiple leagues.

He made 14 appearances for Bournemouth last season before injuries checked his momentum. This season he has played only once, an EFL Cup tie, though he has regularly made the matchday squad.

Andoni Iraola is expected to approve a January loan so the defender can play regularly. If the deal becomes viable, Celtic are seen as strong contenders. SunSport reports the Scottish champions have made an enquiry.

Timing matters for Celtic. The January window feels pivotal, and supporters have little patience for deals that drift late into the month. If Araujo is viewed as an immediate upgrade, fans will expect early movement.

Finances will shape any agreement. Premier League loans usually carry a premium through fees, wage share, or both, and that is often where talks stall given the board’s caution in recent windows.Even so, Celtic need defensive reinforcements and Nancy wants to imprint his system properly. Araujo fits the profile. Whether interest becomes action will show how aggressively Celtic plan to approach the opening weeks of January.