15-goal hitman emerges on Celtic transfer radar as red-hot Champions League form catches attention
Colombian striker found the net against four different Champions League opponents for Qarabag last season
Celtic are exploring a possible summer move for Qarabag hitman Camilo Duran, according to various reports.
Hoops manager Martin O'Neill is hunting for two new strikers in this transfer window after relying heavily on Daizen Maeda and Kelechi Iheanacho during last season's dramatic Scottish Premiership title run in.
The latter is out of contract, while Japanese star Maeda is expected to depart the club after the World Cup. Now, according to the Scottish Sun, Duran has been identified as a centre-forward of interest to the Parkhead club.
The 24-year-old Colombian bagged 15 goals and ten assists during an impressive debut season for the Azerbaijani outfit last term. But it was his Champions League exploits that really set tongues waging.
Duran netted five times against Benfica, Ajax, Eintracht Frankfurt and Newcastle in Europe's elite competition, catching the eye of several teams in Europe and South America, including Celtic who will face a play-off round in August as they bid to reach the league phase and bank a tasty £35m cash boost.
Progression on the continent is a priority for Celtic under veteran boss O’Neill and a regular marksman at that level could make all the difference, with Qarabag demanding at least a club record £2m in order to let left-footer Duran depart.
Qarabag eye tasty profit on Colombian striker tipped for international breakthrough
That would mark a tasty profit on a player who cost only £200,000 from Portuguese outfit Portimonense last summer, where he spent the previous three campaigns. Duran has also been tipped for a senior national team call-up in the near future, having represented his country at youth level.
Duran is one of a number of striking options that Celtic have looked at as O'Neill prepares to carry out a squad rebuild capable of defending the league title. And Qarabag head coach Gurban Gurbanov concedes the attacker could leave the club.
Asked by Azerbaijani media about further exits from his squad during the summer window, Gurbanov replied: “It is possible.”
On loan pair Tomas Cvancara and Junior Adamu have already headed through the exit door and will NOT be returning to Glasgow, while it remains to be seen if the champions take up their 12-month option to extend Iheanacho’s deal.
O’Neill won't stand in Maeda's way if the chance to make a big-money move presents itself, which leaves just Callum Osmand and Johnny Kenny as the other recognised strikers with Shin Yamada expected to head back to Japan.
*The Scottish Football Social Club is presented by BetSBK.com | 18+ | Gamble Responsibly