Labelled a “mini-Haaland,” Celtic could approve a £13m offer to bring in their best center forward since Kyogo — opinion.

It has been a strange and unpredictable season for Celtic F.C., and perhaps nothing summed it up better than the unexpected rise of Kelechi Iheanacho as a late-season hero following his arrival on a free transfer last summer.

After Adam Idah was sold late in the transfer window, only a few months after the departure of Kyogo Furuhashi in January, Celtic were forced to react quickly in the market.

Iheanacho arrived toward the end of the window after previous attempts to sign Shin Yamada and Callum Osmand.

Unfortunately for the Scottish champions, the Nigerian striker struggled badly with fitness issues throughout the campaign. By the end of the season, he had started only eight matches across all competitions and accumulated fewer than 900 minutes of action overall.

Despite those injury setbacks, Iheanacho still managed to carve out a memorable place in Celtic folklore thanks to a series of crucial goals late in the season.

None proved more important than his dramatic injury-time penalty against Motherwell F.C., a composed finish that became one of the defining moments of the title race.

Even if he ultimately becomes remembered more as an impact substitute than a consistent starter, the former Sevilla FC forward may have done enough to earn himself an extended stay at Parkhead.

Regardless of his future, however, Celtic’s search for a reliable first-choice centre-forward clearly remains ongoing.

Celtic Still Missing a Proper Kyogo Replacement

One of the biggest issues for Celtic throughout the campaign was the lack of goals from their recognised strikers.

Excluding Daizen Maeda, the highest-scoring striker in the Premiership for Celtic this season was Iheanacho with only five league goals.

Several other forwards failed to establish themselves consistently during the campaign, including Yamada, Johnny Kenny, Junior Adamu, and Tomáš Čvančara.

The struggles of those attacking options only reinforced how difficult it has been for Celtic to replace Kyogo since his departure nearly 18 months ago.

The Japanese forward had been hugely influential during his time in Glasgow, scoring 85 goals in 165 appearances across all competitions and becoming one of the club’s most important players.

Since his exit, several forwards have attempted to fill the void, but none have managed to consistently replicate his movement, finishing ability, or overall influence in attack.

Kasper Hogh and Alvaro Rodriguez Among Targets

One striker heavily linked with Celtic in recent weeks is Kasper Høgh of FK Bodø/Glimt.

Reports earlier this week suggested the Scottish champions had revived their interest in the Danish striker as they continue assessing possible attacking reinforcements.

However, according to TEAMtalk, Høgh is not the only centre-forward currently under consideration.

The report also claims Celtic are showing strong interest in Álvaro Rodríguez, the highly-rated striker currently playing for Elche CF.

The 21-year-old has reportedly emerged as one of Celtic’s leading attacking targets, with the club viewing him as both an immediate solution and a long-term investment.

The biggest obstacle appears to be the transfer fee required to complete a deal.

According to reports, Rodríguez could cost as much as £13 million, a figure that would surpass Celtic’s current record transfer outlay for Arne Engels.

Alvaro Rodriguez Could Be Ideal Long-Term Solution

Despite the potential expense, there is growing belief that Rodríguez could finally become the elite striker Celtic have been searching for since Kyogo’s departure.

Several forwards have struggled badly during the past season.

Yamada left on loan without scoring a single goal, while Kenny also departed in January after missing ten major chances during the first half of the Premiership season alone.

Celtic’s overall striker numbers during the 2025-26 campaign highlighted the lack of a consistent goalscorer.

Iheanacho finished with nine goals in 24 appearances across all competitions, while Kenny managed six in 22 games. Čvančara and Yamada both scored only twice, and Adamu contributed just one goal in six appearances.

Osmand showed promise with two goals in four matches but missed more than five months through injury, while Idah failed to score in his limited appearances before leaving.

Those inconsistent returns underline why Celtic remain determined to sign a genuine leading striker capable of transforming the attack.

Rodriguez Impressed in Spain

Rodríguez enjoyed a difficult loan spell with Getafe CF during the previous campaign, scoring only three goals.

However, the striker responded impressively last season with Elche, where he scored seven goals in La Liga and played a key role in helping the club avoid relegation.

That goal tally would actually have made him Celtic’s most productive recognised striker in the Premiership this season.

Only Maeda, Yang Hyun-jun, and Benjamin Nygren scored more league goals for Celtic overall.

Rodríguez’s combination of size, technical quality, and movement has already attracted significant attention across Europe.

A tall, left-footed striker with elegant movement and strong physical presence, the Uruguay youth international was previously nicknamed “the mini-Haaland” during his time with Real Madrid Castilla, according to talent scout Jacek Kulig.

Former Real Madrid Prospect Offers More Than Goals

Although Rodríguez made only ten senior appearances for Real Madrid CF and scored once for the first team, his record at youth level demonstrated his considerable potential.

For Real Madrid Castilla, the striker scored 21 goals in 79 appearances while also registering seven assists.

That creative side of his game is another reason Celtic reportedly admire him so strongly.

Last season in La Liga, Rodríguez contributed five assists and created seven major chances for teammates, showing he can influence games beyond simply scoring goals.

At Celtic Park, only Maeda and Kieran Tierney recorded more assists than Rodríguez managed in Spain.

Those numbers suggest the young striker could add both creativity and finishing quality to Celtic’s attack.

Premium Price Could Still Represent Smart Investment

At just 21 years old, Rodríguez still has significant room for development and improvement.

His performances in one of Europe’s top five leagues have already shown that he possesses the technical ability and mentality required to compete at a high level.

Celtic may view the sizeable transfer fee not only as an investment in immediate success but also as a move that could generate major profit in the future.

If Rodríguez continues progressing, the Scottish champions could eventually sell him for far more than the £13 million currently being discussed.

After months of uncertainty in the striker position, Celtic supporters are desperate for a genuine marquee centre-forward capable of transforming the team’s attack.

Many forwards have attempted to fill the enormous gap left by Kyogo, but none have managed to establish themselves consistently enough.

Rodríguez, however, may finally possess the profile, talent, and long-term potential required to become Celtic’s standout striker once again.