Celtic offer Iheanacho new deal as talks advance

Martin O’Neill has confirmed that Celtic have made Kelechi Iheanacho a fresh contract offer, with negotiations continuing over a possible return to Glasgow.

The Nigerian striker became a free agent after his previous deal with the club expired at the end of June. 

Iheanacho initially arrived at Celtic in September 2025 on a one-year contract that included an option for an additional season. 

The club opted not to trigger that extension, meaning both parties must now negotiate an entirely new agreement.

While allowing the option to lapse before making another offer may appear unconventional, it potentially gives Celtic greater flexibility to discuss revised terms that reflect the player’s current situation.

Details of the new proposal, including wages and contract length, remain undisclosed. It would therefore be premature to describe the offer as a pay cut. 

However, Iheanacho’s fitness record and relatively limited number of starts last season are expected to feature in discussions.

Injuries disrupted his campaign, restricting him mostly to substitute appearances rather than leading the line for full matches. 

Despite this, he frequently made a strong impact when introduced from the bench. The forward scored several crucial goals in the closing stages of the season and contributed meaningfully as Celtic completed a domestic Double, securing both the league title and Scottish Cup.

His ability to deliver decisive moments off the bench provided O’Neill with a valuable tactical option during a challenging run-in. 

That late-season form helps explain the manager’s desire to bring him back, even after choosing not to extend the original deal.

A new contract would allow Celtic to assess Iheanacho based on his present condition rather than automatically continuing previous terms. 

For the player, the decision hinges on whether the proposal aligns with his ambitions at this stage of his career. 

Familiarity with O’Neill, the squad, and the demands of playing in Glasgow could make a return more appealing than a fresh start elsewhere, especially with pre-season already underway.

With Camilo Duran recently bolstering the attack, Celtic still require sufficient depth to cope with a demanding campaign ahead. 

Iheanacho proved last term that he can deliver goals even without starting every match.

The offer is now on the table, and Celtic await the striker’s decision on whether he is ready to return under new terms.