Galatasaray v RAMS Basaksehir - Turkish Super Lig ISTANBUL, TURKIYE - MAY 30: Victor Osimhen of Galatasaray celebrates after scoring a goal during the 38th and final week match of the Turkish Super Lig between Galatasaray and RAMS Basaksehir at RAMS Park in Istanbul, Turkiye on May 30, 2025. Imago Images
Celtic have missed out on re-signing striker Kelechi Iheanacho after refusing to meet his substantial wage demands this summer.
The Nigerian forward has instead joined Turkish second-tier side Bursaspor, signing a bumper three-year deal after talks with the Scottish club broke down.
Iheanacho had been seeking a blockbuster package of £50k per week, a figure well beyond the top earners currently on Celtic’s books.
The Hoops had offered the Double-winning hero a two-year contract, despite allowing an automatic one-year extension option to expire at the end of June.
Bursaspor, who won promotion last term, stepped in with a more lucrative offer to secure the 29-year-old on their own terms.
Celtic manager Martin O’Neill had publicly expressed hope earlier this week that Iheanacho would lower his demands and return to Parkhead.
O’Neill’s hopes have now been dashed, and the news is likely to frustrate a fanbase already restless over a quiet summer transfer window.
The club has brought in attacker Camilo Duran and handed Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain a further 12-month contract, but meaningful reinforcements remain thin on the ground.
Celtic have also been resigned to losing key figures including Daizen Maeda, Arne Engels, and Reo Hatate, adding to growing pressure on the board to act decisively.
Defender Maik Nawrocki has also departed, sealing a £2.5m move to French club Lens, further trimming the depth available to O’Neill heading into the new season.
The summer has so far been a difficult one for Celtic in the transfer market, with the club struggling to retain and replace core members of their title-winning squad.
Losing Iheanacho to a newly promoted Turkish side on financial grounds will do little to ease the tension building around the club before the campaign gets underway.
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