Better signing than Rossi: Celtic have “clinical” £6m ST on their radar
Celtic have officially confirmed that Mexico international Julian Araujo has joined the club on loan from Bournemouth until the end of the 2025/26 campaign.
The 26-year-old full-back is their first signing of the January transfer window and could make his debut for the club against Rangers in the Scottish Premiership this afternoon.
Wilfried Nancy has started Anthony Ralston in the right-sided centre-back role in recent weeks, in Alistair Johnston’s continued absence, and Araujo now looks set to compete for that position in the team.
A new centre-forward is also on the agenda for Celtic after it was recently reported that Columbus Crew attacker Diego Rossi is interested in a potential reunion with Nancy at Parkhead.
Celtic eyeing move for MLS attacker
Whilst the Uruguay international may be keen on a move to Glasgow, the Scottish Premiership champions also have their eye on another MLS star.
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According to the Daily Mail, Celtic are looking to bolster Nancy’s squad with additions in several areas of the pitch during the January transfer window.
The report claims that two centre-backs could be brought in because of Jahmai Simpson-Pusey’s departure, a right-winger is being explored, and they want to sign a new centre-forward.
On the latter position, the outlet reveals that Rossi is just one of two MLS attackers who are on the club’s radar, as they are also interested in Columbus Crew number nine Wessam Abou Ali.
The Daily Mail states that Nancy wants to add more firepower to his squad and has identified his former Columbus Crew marksman, who was signed from Al Ahly for around £6m last summer, as a target.
Why Celtic should sign Abou Ali over Diego Rossi
Rossi is an attractive target for the Hoops on paper because he has already worked with the French boss and scored 40 goals in the 2024 and 2025 campaigns combined, per Sofascore, for Columbus Crew in all competitions.
However, the versatile forward has predominantly played as an attacking midfielder for the MLS side, per Transfermarkt, as he was typically deployed as one of the two 10s behind the starting number nine for Nancy.
In Celtic terms, that means that he would likely be competing with the likes of Reo Hatate and Benjamin Nygren for a role behind the striker, rather than coming in to be the main man the Hoops currently lack up front.
Celtic’s top 25/26 Premiership scorers
Player
Goals
Benjamin Nygren
8
Daizen Maeda
6
Johnny Kenny
4
Arne Engels
3
Kieran Tierney
3
Stats via WhoScored
As you can see in the table above, the Scottish giants lack a consistent goalscorer in the number nine position who can be relied upon, which is why they should swoop for Abou Ali.
The Palestine international, who was hailed as “clinical” by Columbus Crew general manager Issa Tall, is an out-and-out centre-forward who can come in to replace Johnny Kenny up front and offer a reliable goal threat.
Abou Ali scored three goals from 0.75 xG in five appearances in the MLS in the 2025 campaign after his £6m move from Al Ahly, where he really established himself as a consistent goalscorer.
The 26-year-old frontman scored a staggering 38 goals in 60 appearances for the Egyptian side, per Transfermarkt, which included a return of 18 goals in 19 league matches in the 2023/24 campaign.
Shortly before his move to the MLS, Abou Ali scored three goals from 1.17 xG at the Club World Cup in the summer of 2025, per FotMob, scoring a hat-trick against Porto.
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That means that he has scored his last six goals from just 1.92 xG, which speaks to how clinical and efficient he can be in front of goal. Celtic have lacked that this season, as Kenny has only scored four goals from 6.02 xG in the Premiership, per FotMob.
His statistics for Al Ahly and Columbus Crew suggest that he could be the perfect upgrade on Kenny, providing Celtic with a clinical striker, as a much-needed signing for the Scottish giants.
Whilst Rossi could be a good addition to the squad as an attacking midfielder who carries a goal threat, it is a natural number nine that should be their top priority, because of Kenny’s dismal form.
A better move than Araujo: Celtic keen on signing international forward
Celtic are reportedly interested in a deal to sign a forward who could be an even better signing than Julian Araujo.
ByDan Emery
Therefore, bringing in a clinical centre-forward, in the prime years of his career, like Abou Ali could be an even better signing for Celtic than Rossi.