Cruz Azul are reportedly looking at Julián Araujo as a possible summer target, but plenty of Celtic supporters would rather see the club keep him in Glasgow.
According to Mediotiempo, the Mexican side have Araujo on their list of potential reinforcements ahead of the Apertura 2026 campaign.
The report claims Cruz Azul see the former Celtic defender as a priority option at right-back, with club figure Víctor Velázquez expected to try to convince him to make the move to La Máquina.
César Montes is also said to be on their radar as the club weigh up possible signings and exits.
From a Celtic point of view, though, the Araujo link is the one that matters.
Mediotiempo suggest that his time in Europe with Celtic has not quite gone to plan, while also pointing to his World Cup disappointment as something that could make a move back to Mexico more appealing.
That might be the view from Mexico, but it probably is not how many Celtic fans see it.
Araujo showed more than enough in green and white to leave supporters wanting another look. He brought pace, aggression and real energy down the right side, and in a team that often needs more athleticism in wide areas, that should not be dismissed lightly.
Simply put, Celtic could do a lot worse than having him back next season.
At minimum, another loan would make sense if the numbers work. At best, Celtic should surely be asking whether a permanent deal is possible.
Right-back is not a position the club can afford to sleepwalk through this summer. Martin O’Neill is now back, the rebuild is underway, and Celtic need players who can contribute quickly.
Araujo already knows the place. He knows the demands, the noise, the scrutiny and the expectation. That counts for something.
That is why Cruz Azul’s reported interest is worth keeping an eye on.
If they make a serious push, Celtic may need to decide whether they still see Araujo as part of the plan.
For a lot of supporters, the answer would be clear enough.
Bring him back at least on loan, and if the deal is there permanently, Celtic should be all over it.
The trouble with this Celtic board is, “keeping an eye” on something, means do nothing until its too late. The last thing Celtic need to do is “keep an eye on things”, rather they should be first in there, setting the tone, being aggressive in the market. Watching from the sidelines, then at the last minute put in an offer almost as good as a rivals bid is pathetic. But this Celtic board do worse than pathetic. They don’t even make a bid! They just “keep an eye on things”.
He’s a good player but why would we need him when we have Johnston, Ralston and Donovan?