Celtic are looking to sign a new striker this summer – and they are now casting their eye over Bristol City hitman Antoine Semenyo.
That’s according to Bristol World, who claim that Celtic have been scouting Semenyo ahead of a possible move this summer.
Celtic scout Craig Strachan is understood to have attended Bristol City’s game against Reading on Wednesday night.
Semenyo was the reason for Strachan’s visit, and the talented hitman opened the scoring at Ashton Gate, setting the Robins on their way to a 2-1 win.
Semenyo has been in ridiculous form of late. The 22-year-old has racked up five goals and five assists in his last 10 games for Bristol City, terrorizing Championship defences.
Just a couple of days ago, Semenyo was named as the Championship’s player of the month for January as he was recognized for a blistering month.
The problem for Bristol City now is that other clubs want to sign Semenyo at the end of the season.
Celtic are looking towards Semenyo but may have to cough up a club-record fee in order to bring him to Parkhead.
The Bristol Post reported in January that Nottingham Forest had a deadline day bid for Semenyo rejected, with the Robins seeking a huge £20million fee.
That’s around twice Celtic’s transfer record, so just how the Bhoys sanction a deal to bring Semenyo up to Glasgow is unclear.
Even if you combine the fees of Kyogo Furuhashi and Odsonne Edouard – two of Celtic’s best strikers in recent times – that still doesn’t come to £20million.
Semenyo is contracted to Bristol City until the summer of 2023, though there is a one-year option on that deal too.
That means Celtic may not be able to get a discount on Semenyo and will have to dig deep for the pacey and skillful attacker.
Celtic may be dreaming of Kyogo Furuhashi, Giorgos Giakoumakis and Semenyo as their main strikers, but it’s hard to see how they come up with a fee to please Bristol City.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
