Celtic agree first January signing

Tom Weber

31 Dec 2025 07:23 CST
3 min read

Celtic manager Wilfried Nancy watches his side's clash with Dundee United — © IMAGO

Celtic are expected to complete the loan signing of Bournemouth full-back Julian Araujo, according to a report.

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The Hoops are in for a massive January transfer window, and club chiefs are facing a major dilemma. New manager Wilfried Nancy has lost five of his seven games in charge, so it is now a question of whether to back him in the market or to sack him.

Many Celtic supporters have certainly made up their mind already following a dreadful 2-0 loss to Motherwell on Tuesday. Nancy's post-match comments, claiming that he was "not surprised" by the result, won't have endeared him to the Parkhead faithful.

With a crunch Old Firm clash coming up on Saturday, Nancy could lose his job before he even gets the opportunity to build a team in his image. Similarly, a decision must be made on star attacker Daizen Maeda, who is keen to jump ship after being denied a transfer in the summer.

There could be quite a bit of churn at Celtic Park over the next month, and a first transfer has reportedly already been agreed. Rarely used defender Hayato Inamura is set to join FC Tokyo on loan.

Celtic to sign Araujo

However, Celtic are now also closing in on their first incoming piece of business, according to Telegraph reporter Mike McGrath. The journalist reports that "Bournemouth sources" expect Julian Araujo to join the Hoops on loan until the summer.

The 24-year-old has failed to impress Cherries boss Andoni Iraola since joining from Barcelona in a €10 million deal in 2024. Araujo has not made a single Premier League appearance this term and has only suited up 14 times for the South Coast club since his arrival.

A former US youth international, the right-back has racked up 16 senior caps for Mexico. He was part of the El Tri squad that won the Gold Cup in the summer but made just two appearances at the tournament.

Araujo used to be an incredibly highly-rated prospect in Major League Soccer, which prompted Barcelona to sign him. However, with the exception of an encouraging loan at Las Palmas, he has struggled to make his mark at the elite European level.

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