Celtic face a mounting challenge to keep hold of Julian Araujo beyond the current campaign, with Mexican giants Cruz Azul reportedly preparing a major summer move for the right-back. The 24-year-old has become an instant “cult hero” at Parkhead since arriving on loan from Bournemouth in January, but his future remains shrouded in uncertainty.
The former Barcelona defender was brought to Glasgow by Martin O’Neill to bolster the Hoops’ defensive ranks and has made 13 appearances since his debut. However, the loan agreement does not include an option to buy, meaning Araujo is currently scheduled to return to the English Premier League once the season concludes.
Ambitious Cruz Azul Enter the Race
Despite being frozen out of the first-team picture at Bournemouth prior to his Scottish switch, Araujo’s stock has risen significantly during his time in the SPFL. Reports from Mexico suggest that Cruz Azul have identified Araujo as their primary target to replace Jorge Sanchez, who recently departed for Greek side PAOK.
While Araujo still has three years remaining on his contract with the Cherries, the prospect of a return to his homeland with an ambitious, high-spending club could complicate Celtic’s hopes of securing a permanent deal. With no fixed fee in place, the Hoops would likely have to enter a bidding war to keep the Mexican international at Paradise.
The Battle for the Gloves: Sinisalo vs. Schmeichel
Away from the transfer market, a new hierarchy appears to be forming between the sticks. Finland national team boss Jacob Friis has officially hailed Viljami Sinisalo as Celtic’s “Number One,” following a string of impressive performances in the absence of veteran Kasper Schmeichel.
Schmeichel has missed the last three fixtures due to illness, and Sinisalo has seized the opportunity with both hands. Despite his rise to prominence at club level, the young Finn faces a gruelling international break. Friis plans to take the keeper on a marathon journey to New Zealand for the 2026 FIFA Series, though he admitted Sinisalo may act as understudy to international captain Lukas Hradecky.
“Viljami Sinisalo took his chance and he is now Celtic’s number one keeper,” Friis confirmed. “No clubs have contacted us about pulling their players out because of the length of the journey… but we have received very good advice on dealing with jet lag from coaches in the F1 series.”
What This Means for Celtic’s Summer
The situation highlights a pivotal summer ahead for Martin O’Neill. With Julian Araujo’s future contested and the goalkeeping torch seemingly being passed to Sinisalo, the Celtic hierarchy must decide whether to break the bank for their loan stars or return to the scouting pool to find the next generation of talent.
Co-Founder of Fitba Focus and MMA UK. A lifelong Rangers fan and former player, he combines over a decade of sports media experience with a deep-seated passion for the Scottish game. From the Ibrox stands to the lower-league terraces, Frankie is dedicated to providing honest, fan-led analysis of the full Scottish pyramid.
