Iheanacho Prioritises Celtic Stay Amid Offers from Turkey and Brazil
Kelechi Iheanacho has reportedly placed offers from Turkish and Brazilian clubs on hold as he remains determined to continue his career in Scotland. The Nigerian striker, who joined Celtic last season on a short-term contract, is now a free agent as of July 1, 2026, after the club hesitated to trigger a renewal clause.
According to the Scottish Sun, multiple Turkish clubs have submitted offers for the former U17 FIFA World Cup winner, while Brazilian side Vasco da Gama has also expressed interest. However, Iheanacho is not keen on leaving Europe and prefers to stay at Celtic if possible.
Key Role in Celtic's Double Triumph
Iheanacho joined Celtic at the start of the 2025-26 season as a free agent, aiming to revive his career after a difficult spell at Sevilla. The Super Eagles forward played a pivotal role in helping Celtic secure both the league title and the Scottish Cup, scoring crucial goals during the run-in and in the cup final. His one-year contract included an option for another year, but the club has not yet activated it.
John Inglis, Iheanacho's former agent, expressed support for a continued stay. 'Celtic should absolutely look to keep Kelechi. I know how much he loved playing for the club last season and the joy he took from winning the big trophies,' he told the Scottish Sun. 'I think he proved himself with very important goals. Kelechi's just a brilliant finisher in the box. I'd be delighted to see him stay at Celtic – and I know he'd also be very happy about that. But other clubs are now being alerted to the fact he's up for grabs.'
Future Decision Looms
According to Football Insider, the Nigerian forward prefers to continue at Celtic before considering other options. If the Scottish champions do not act swiftly, Iheanacho may be forced to continue his career elsewhere, despite positive relations between him and the club. The delay in contract renewal has put his future in limbo, with several clubs monitoring the situation.
In related news, Samuel Chukwueze recently rejected a move to Turkey, opting to stay at AC Milan and impress new manager Ruben Amorim.
