Celtic open talks for 20-goal striker as O'Neill prepares record €50m spend

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Suraj Radia | Editor

Martin O’Neill looks set to lead a blockbuster summer for Celtic after the Scottish giants stepped up their pursuit over a prolific striker signing to kick-start a huge transfer window.

O’Neill is expected to be handed a one-year deal to continue in his role as manager after leading Celtic to the Scottish Premiership title last season across two interim spells.

And the 74-year-old could celebrate his new contract by bringing in a new number nine, with Sky Sport Switzerland revealing that Celtic had opened talks to sign French striker Elias Filet.

Filet is coming off the back of an impressive season for Swiss side Aarau where he netted 20 times in 35 games, leading to the 24-year-old being named the player of the season in the Challenge League – the country’s second tier.

Celtic are said to have ‘accelerated’ their chase for Filet by having a video call with the player’s agent on Tuesday and the Hoops’ ‘priority’ is to agree personal terms with the 6 foot 1 inch forward before entering official negotiations with Aarau.

However, Belgian side Genk are already understood to have submitted an offer for Filet, while Lorient are also believed to be preparing a formal bid, meaning Celtic could have a fight on their hands to sign a player in hot demand.

Filet to lead the way with Celtic set to hand O’Neill massive warchest

Filet is entering the final year of his contract and subsequently could be available for a relatively low fee that could end up sparking a flurry of transfer activity for Celtic going into the summer.

Having narrowly secured the title on the final day of the season, Celtic are aware that they will need to strengthen their squad to continue establishing themselves as the top side in Scotland, particularly with a number of players likely to be sold.

Former Celtic star Frank McAvennie believes the club are set to hand O’Neill a transfer kitty of £40 million (€46.3m) with a view to rebuilding a squad that may change heavily during the window.

"I heard £40million [for how much O'Neill is going to have to spend]. I think there is a lot of players they need to get rid of. I know you are going to be losing money on some of them, but even if you get them out and get the wages,” McAvennie said on his ‘Let Me Be Frank’ podcast.

"I think the boy [Michel-Ange] Balikwisha has got to leave, because I don't think he is going to get a game. Maybe this boy Balikwisha will leave Celtic and be outstanding.

"I think [Arne] Engels will stay, I think [Benjamin] Nygren will go, [Daizen] Maeda will go and [Reo] Hatate will go. That's my opinion."