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Celtic star's stance on future highlights this summer's most obvious transfer decision

Celtic have a decision to make over one out of contract player
O'Neill has a decision to make
O'Neill has a decision to make | Craig Williamson - SNS Group/GettyImages

One Celtic star has reportedly made up his mind over his future amid question marks. Martin O'Neill is in for a busy summer that is likely to see recruitment aplenty at Parkhead ahead of the new campaign.

The Bhoys had a slow start to last season after a disappointing summer of recruitment, and improvement is needed on that front this time around.

The attack is in particular need of improvement, with Celtic having two players headed back to their parent clubs following loan spells, leaving them with just one on the books for next season.

One could become two if Kelechi Iheanacho is kept on, with Celtic needing to decide whether or not to tack a year on to the end of his expiring contract by the end of this month.

Iheanacho makes his decision

There have been reports this week of Iheanacho being offered to a club in Brazil amid his expiring short-term Celtic deal. But according to the CeltsAreHere, the striker is giving full priority to the Bhoys should they want him to stay.

That will come as no surprise, given all indications point to the striker being happy at Celtic Park. The 29-year-old scored five league goals during the run-in, arriving on a free and initially battling some injury issues.

He bounced back well and impressed O'Neill, but the veteran boss has spoken of Iheanacho needing an extended run of fitness, with a full pre-season key for him.

But as far as Iheanacho is concerned, he is said to want a Celtic stay.

The ball is in Celtic's court

Celtic can extend the current deal by a year by activating their contract option before the end of this month, and they are yet to take up that option.

If Iheanacho wants to stay, they may not be in a rush to trigger the option, with every chance the two parties can agree a new deal in July. O'Neill may ask the striker to prove his fitness in pre-season first, although there is an element of risk in that for the player, given he would not have contractual security.

One way or another, it may be wise for Celtic to go ahead and extend the deal, given it would give them another striker without having to spend another transfer fee, while the wages are likely to be affordable.

The Bhoys have a lot to thdo is summer, and signing two strikers is not going to be an easy task. On top of that, Iheanacho already knows the club, the squad and has proven he can be effective at Premiership level.

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