Mexican sides Monterrey and Cruz Azul are reportedly interested in Celtic loanee Julian Araujo.
The full-back hasn’t been seen since Celtic’s penalty shootout win at Ibrox in March, missing the end of the season through a severe quad tear.
This meant that his loan spell finished with just 13 appearances, but across those games, Araujo made enough of an impression to be remembered as a key figure in the Hoops’ season.
The 24-year-old certainly appeared to enjoy his time in Glasgow, but his permanent future remains up in the air.
Will Celtic regret not inserting an option to buy in their Julian Araujo loan from Bournemouth?
Monterrey chief Dennis te Kloese approaches Julian Araujo
According to Gerardo Gonzalez, Monterrey have made an approach for Araujo via sporting director Dennis te Kloese.
Cruz Azul are also interested, but haven’t yet made their move. They need a right-back after the sale of Jorge Sanchez to Greek club PAOK.
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Despite Araujo’s cousin hinting at a permanent Celtic stay, it remains unclear whether or not the Hoops are to throw their hat in the ring for his signature this summer.
Alistair Johnston’s presence at right-back creates a potential selection headache that could dissuade the Mexico international from a move to Scotland.
Born and raised in the United States, Araujo represented the US at five different age levels before appearing in a friendly in 2020. However, he decided to switch to Mexico a year later and has since earned 16 caps.
He made over 100 appearances for LA Galaxy, mostly as a teenager, earning himself a move to Barcelona which almost fell through when the transfer was signed off 14 seconds after the deadline.
The Catalan giants lodged a successful appeal, but Araujo never made a competitive appearance for the club, spending time on loan at Las Palmas in the 2023-24 season.
This led Bournemouth to sign him for €10million, and after a patchy first season, he fell out of favour during this campaign, leading to his loan to Glasgow.
Araujo has discussed the possibility of playing in Mexico in the past.
Should Celtic sign Julian Araujo permanently this summer?
Celtic’s Julian Araujo on playing in Mexico
Speaking to ESPN’s Pena de La Liga in 2023, Araujo said: “As a child, I always imagined myself playing in Mexico.
“I’ve always watched Mexican league games. I’d like to try it before my career ends, to have that experience.
“On my father’s side, I have a lot of family who are still in Mexico, I can’t see them regularly, and they can’t see me play unless the Mexican National Team calls me up and we’re in Mexico; then they can see me.
“It would make me very happy to play in Mexico, where I can receive support in every match and be a part of my daily life.
“I would definitely like to play in Mexico before I finish my career. I’m not closing myself off to that possibility, but football takes you in many directions.”
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