Martin O’Neill is open to bringing Julian Araujo back to Celtic.
However, it doesn’t appear to be an active deal at present, with the defender recently returning to pre-season at the South Coast club.
O’Neill has admitted that he isn’t aware of Bournemouth’s stance on Araujo’s future, though he suspects that a permanent sale is the Cherries’ preference.
This could prove financially tricky for Celtic.
Should Celtic sign Julian Araujo permanently this summer?
Martin O’Neill ‘would definitely look at’ Julian Araujo move
O’Neill said after Celtic’s friendly against Sporting: “I felt he did very well for us. He obviously picked up an injury at an inopportune time for him.
“We are talking about a fight for left back with [Alistair] Johnston and Colby Donovan.
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“I don’t know if Bournemouth would loan him out again, I would think they would want to sell him.
“I would keep it open, because you don’t know what could happen. If it was all within our scope, it’s something I would definitely look at.
“Because he would be up for the fight. I haven’t been in contact with him for a few weeks, but overall, I don’t know what Bournemouth’s position is.”
Another Latin American has already been brought to the Hoops this summer in Camilo Duran, who had a goalscoring debut on Tuesday.
O’Neill said of the forward: “I said, ‘This is Daizen Maeda the second!’,” O’Neill stated post-match.
“I do think he’ll be a proper player, not just because he closed down and scored the goal.
“He does like to press, absolutely. He scored and there were a couple of moments that didn’t quite bounce his way. I think he’ll be really decent for us, I genuinely do.”
Defeat for Celtic in Portugal! 🚨🤔🍀
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Will Julian Araujo return to Celtic this summer?
From the evidence of Araujo’s short-but-sweet loan spell, he would certainly be the kind of addition the club want this summer.
A quad injury put an end to his season after Celtic’s penalty shootout win at Ibrox, a game in which he led the celebrations.
The defender could be reintegrated at Dean Court under new boss Marco Rose this season, but Celtic won’t be alone in the race if he is put up for sale.
Bournemouth are reportedly looking for an increase on the £8 million figure they paid to bring him to England from Barcelona.
Given that he was initially brought to Celtic due to the injury to Alistair Johnston, it remains uncertain whether the club would be willing to fork out.
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