Celtic have reached an agreement with Bournemouth over a loan move for right-back Julian Araujo, with the deal now edging close to completion as the final details are resolved, according to Mark McAdam.
The Mexico international arrived in Glasgow earlier today as negotiations progressed into their final stages, prompting questions due to Bournemouth’s current international loan limit.
That uncertainty has now been clarified, with reports indicating Araujo has remained in the city and is awaiting a medical ahead of signing. The proposed move is a straight loan until the end of the season, with no purchase option included.
The main complication has been Bournemouth’s overseas loan quota. Premier League clubs are restricted in the number of international players they can loan out, and Bournemouth are believed to have reached that limit.
However, a solution is now expected imminently. The south coast club are preparing to recall Dominic Sadi from his loan spell at Novi Pazar, which would free up the necessary slot and allow Araujo’s move to be finalised.
From Celtic’s perspective, the urgency is clear. Defensive reinforcements are a priority and Wilfried Nancy can ill afford further delays. Should the medical be completed in time, Araujo is expected to be available immediately, with the upcoming Glasgow derby firmly in mind.
Araujo joined Bournemouth from Barcelona in the summer of 2024 in a deal reported to be worth £9 million. His progress in England has been hampered by injuries and a lack of consistent opportunities. From a tactical standpoint, the move makes sense.
He is comfortable operating as a wing-back and appears well suited to Nancy’s preferred 3-4-2-1 system. His pace and recovery ability could help address Celtic’s ongoing issues in wide defensive areas, although his injury history remains a concern.
If Bournemouth complete Sadi’s recall and the medical proceeds as expected, the deal should become a formality. Attention will then shift from speculation to whether Araujo can deliver an immediate impact.
Nancy enters Saturday’s derby under immense pressure. A defeat could prove terminal, with a growing section of the support unconvinced he is the right man to lead the club forward following a difficult start to his tenure.
There is little margin for error, and with the demands of his system, Celtic face a busy transfer window if they are to assemble a squad capable of executing it effectively. Supporters are increasingly concerned that the title race could slip away before meaningful reinforcements arrive.
Discontent towards the board continues to build, with many fans holding them responsible for the current situation and calling for a fresh approach at executive level. Peter Lawwell’s recent departure as chairman has only intensified scrutiny elsewhere.
Chief executive Michael Nicholson is under significant pressure amid ongoing concerns around transparency and accountability. Strengthening the squad may be his only route to easing that criticism.
The question now is whether Julian Araujo represents the first meaningful step in Celtic’s attempted reset.
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