Kelechi Iheanacho’s Celtic future remains unresolved, with the striker considering several options away from Glasgow.
Record Sport reports that the Nigerian has interest from Saudi Arabia and Qatar, while clubs in Turkey and Major League Soccer are also keeping tabs on his situation.
That leaves Celtic with a decision to make.
The 29-year-old already knows the club, the dressing room and the demands that come with playing in Glasgow. He also produced some important moments during the run-in last season as Celtic recovered to win the league and Scottish Cup.
However, his campaign was also disrupted by fitness problems, and he was not able to feature as regularly as either he or the club would have wanted.
A new deal would therefore come with a degree of risk, but O’Neill clearly still sees value in keeping him around.
Iheanacho offers experience, strength and the ability to play through the middle. He also knows O’Neill well and would not need time to settle into the squad.
The issue now is competition.
Interest from Saudi Arabia and Qatar could offer a different level of financial package, while Turkey and MLS would also give Iheanacho the chance to move into a new league.
Celtic can offer European football and the chance to remain at a club where he has already had success, but the player now has several options to consider.
O’Neill has already spoken about the need to add more players this summer, and Celtic are expected to bring in another striker. Camilo Durán is the first signing of the window, but the manager will still want more depth in attack.
Keeping Iheanacho could help with that, but Celtic will not want the situation to drag on too long.
The club need clarity over whether the striker wants to stay and whether the terms of a new deal make sense.
For now, talks remain open, but the interest from abroad means there is no guarantee Iheanacho will return for another season.
Have Celtic thought about offering a pay as you play deal to Kel,based on appearances and scoring bonuses.?20 grand an appearance,grand a goal type arrangement.?