Celtic have shown an interest in Ali Avila, according to a report.
In a hectic January transfer window, Martin O’Neill added two strikers to his squad, loaning two out and loaning two in.
Both Tomas Cvancara and Junior Adamu were brought to Glasgow from Germany with loan deals containing an option for a permanent switch in the summer.
But with Celtic dealing with a fair bit of long-term uncertainty, they are clearly preparing for every eventuality.
And it seems that they are looking across the Atlantic for one alternative option.
You can pick one forward to sign permanently for Celtic in the summer. Who are you picking?
Adamu or Cvancara?
Celtic interested in Ali Avila for summer transfer
According to Mark Hendry via CeltsAreHere, Celtic have shown an interest in 22-year-old striker Avila.
He plays for Mexican side Queretaro, whom he joined from Pumas last month after a successful initial loan spell.
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Of course, Celtic signed a Mexican international last month in the shape of Julian Araujo, though the Hoops defender has never played in Liga MX.
Araujo is on loan at Parkhead until the end of the season, but with no option to buy and Alistair Johnston set to be fit before the end of the season, he is expected to return to Bournemouth after his loan.
Celtic are not alone in the race for Avila, with the report also saying that Dynamo Kiev and Standard Liege are in the mix.
Avila scored seven goals for Queretaro after joining them in July, contributing to their eventual 12th-placed finish in the Apertura phase of the season.
Hoops scout Mark Cooper, known for his connections in Latin America, is reportedly one of the Parkhead figures tracking the 22-year-old
5’10 and fast, Avila has never been capped by the Mexican national team, but has appeared for their under-23 side at the Pan American games.
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Celtic’s recent signings from Latin America
Marcelo Saracchi’s loan move to Glasgow from Boca Juniors has been a success, with O’Neill recently voicing a willingness to keep him at the club permanently.
Celtic’s last major investment for a player in Latin America was Alexandro Bernabei, who was signed from Argentinian side Lanus for a fee of £4.5 million.
For reasons both on and off the pitch, it didn’t work out for Bernabei, but he is now a key player for Brazilian giants Internacional.
Araujo is one of just two Mexicans to play for Celtic along with Efrain Juarez, who was a surprise contender for the Parkhead hotseat prior to the appointment of Wilfried Nancy.
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