It seems less and less likely that Julian Araujo will return to Celtic this summer.
Even though injury cut short Araujo’s six-month loan spell at Celtic last season, he still made a telling impact on Martin O’Neill’s side winning the domestic double.
Araujo is currently training with Bournemouth, but he is expected to leave the Europa League club, with the Scottish champions keen on the right-back making a return.
However, transfer journalist Ekrem Konur has claimed that a return to Celtic is ‘unlikely’, with the player’s ‘£50k weekly wage’ proving to be a ‘barrier’, as he shared on social media.
Who is to blame for Marcelo Saracchi not returning to Celtic? 🤔
The left-back has made his feelings clear….👀🍀
Bournemouth want ‘at least £6.5 million’ for Celtic target Julian Araujo
Right now, Alistair Johnston is Celtic’s main right-back, with Colby Donovan and Anthony Ralston in the background.
Despite that, O’Neill stated after Celtic’s pre-season defeat to Sporting that he would be ‘open’ to Araujo returning to Glasgow.
With transfer expert Konur stating that ‘at least £6.5 million’ is needed to sign the Mexican star, then that in itself should be off-putting.
‘Speculation rising around Julian Araujo this summer,’ wrote Konur on social media.
‘A return to Celtic is seen as unlikely; Bournemouth want at least £6.5M. 💰 He was signed for £8.5M in 2024, with the club keen to recoup most of it. 👀 Weekly wage £50K, a barrier for Celtic. 👉 Araujo prioritises staying in Europe, rejecting Cruz Azul & Liga MX interest.’
Unless Johnston leaves this summer, and given his strong World Cup with Canada, many are fearing that will be the case, then Araujo isn’t needed.
Not forgetting that there is all this noise around Kelechi Iheanacho not being re-signed due to wage issues, and Araujo is seemingly earning ‘£50k-a-week’ at Bournemouth.
If Celtic, rightly or wrongly, couldn’t even put the money down for Iheanacho, then there is no way it’s going to happen with Araujo.
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