LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 18: Kelechi Iheanacho of Leicester City celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Semi Final of the Emirates FA Cup between Leicester City and Southampton FC at Wembley Stadium on April 18, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
Celtic look set to lose their chance of re-signing Kelechi Iheanacho after reports emerged that the striker has agreed a move to Bursaspor in Turkey.
The 29-year-old Nigerian international played a pivotal role in Celtic’s historic title triumph during the final stages of last season’s Premiership campaign.
Iheanacho scored crucial winners against Dundee, Hibs and Motherwell during the run-in, cementing his status as one of the club’s most important figures in the season’s closing weeks.
The forward also netted in the Scottish Cup final victory over Dunfermline, capping a remarkable spell of form for the Parkhead club.
Despite his impact, the striker struggled to convince manager Martin O’Neill of his fitness throughout much of the campaign, often deployed as a super-sub rather than a regular starter.
O’Neill nonetheless acknowledged his desire to bring Iheanacho back, and discussions between the club and the player’s representatives did take place during the pre-season period.
Speaking during Celtic’s pre-season camp in Portugal last week, O’Neill said: “I think there has been – yeah.”
The manager added: “I think Michael Nicholson has spoken to Iheanacho’s agent at this minute. So that’s the conversation at this moment.”
However, those talks now appear to have come to nothing, with Turkish football journalist Ertan Süzgün of Yeni Açık reporting that a deal with Bursaspor is set to be announced imminently.
The former Manchester City and Leicester City striker is said to have agreed a three-year contract with the newly-promoted side as they prepare for their return to the Turkish top flight.
Bursaspor’s signing would represent a significant coup for the club as they look to establish themselves back among Turkey’s elite after earning promotion.
Iheanacho’s contract with Celtic expired at the end of last season, leaving him free to negotiate terms with clubs abroad without a transfer fee involved.
Celtic must now look elsewhere as they seek to bolster their attacking options ahead of another demanding campaign on both domestic and European fronts.
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