Celtic are casting their net wide in the January window. With Kyogo Furuhashi now firmly off the table, Martin O'Neill's side have turned their attention to two very different profiles — and both could arrive before the month is out.
Bamba: The Lorient option
Sources in France confirm Celtic have submitted an official loan bid with an option to buy for Mohamed Bamba. The Lorient forward, 24, has fallen out of favour at the Ligue 2 club despite a blistering start to life in Brittany last season.
The numbers tell the story. In 2023/24, Bamba delivered 11 goal involvements in just 16 appearances. This season? One goal in 14 outings and a place on the bench more often than not.
French outlet Ouest France first reported Celtic's approach. The Ivorian international is under contract until 2028, but Lorient appear willing to listen. A loan would suit all parties — Bamba gets minutes, Celtic get firepower, Lorient free up wages in what has been a difficult campaign.
O'Neill made his stance clear after Celtic's 4-0 win over Dundee United: "I need players who are ready to go. I am selfish. I need people in to go now."
Bamba fits that description. A powerful centre-forward, comfortable on either wing, with pace to burn and a point to prove. At 1.85m, he offers a physical presence Celtic have lacked since shifting Kyogo out the door twelve months ago.
Bowie: The homegrown target
Closer to home, Celtic have registered their interest in Kieron Bowie. Football Insider and The Herald both report the Hoops have asked Hibernian to keep them informed of any developments surrounding the Scotland striker.
Bowie, 23, has been sensational this season. Eight goals, three assists in 27 appearances across all competitions. His form has attracted attention from Wolves, from clubs in Italy and Belgium, and from bitter rivals Rangers. Celtic joining that queue feels inevitable.
The problem? Hibs want around £6 million. That would smash the record for a transfer between Scottish clubs — currently held by Scott Brown's £4.4m move from Easter Road to Parkhead back in 2007.
David Gray, the Hibs boss, is determined to keep his man: "The speculation is going to be there. One thing that Kieron needs to do is just keep doing what he's doing."
Whether Celtic match that valuation remains to be seen. The smart money says they'll look elsewhere in Europe if Hibs hold firm.
Kyogo: Door firmly closed
For those still holding out hope of a Furuhashi reunion — forget it. O'Neill confirmed as much before the weekend: "I would have said that would probably be unlikely."
Birmingham City are not selling. Chris Davies, the St Andrew's manager, insists the Japanese forward remains part of his plans despite one goal in 23 Championship appearances this season. Kyogo himself reportedly wants to fight for his place in the West Midlands rather than return to familiar surroundings.
The £40,000-per-week wages are also a sticking point. Celtic walked away from this one. Smart move.
O'Neill's January priorities
So where does that leave Celtic? Third in the Scottish Premiership, six points behind Hearts, and desperate for reinforcements. Julian Araujo has already arrived on loan from Bournemouth, but a striker is the priority.
Bamba represents the low-risk, high-reward option. A loan with an option means Celtic aren't committing long-term to a player who might not adapt. Bowie is the known quantity — Scottish football through and through — but the price tag is prohibitive.
Expect Celtic to push hard on both fronts. The window closes on February 2nd. That gives O'Neill three weeks to reshape a squad that has underperformed badly this season.
More names will emerge. They always do. But Bamba and Bowie are the two that matter right now.