Celtic have held talks with FC Aarau striker Elias Filet as the club looks to move early on a forward it believes can add goals and physical presence. Sky Sport reported that Celtic held a video conference with the player’s representative on Tuesday, with the Scottish club trying to agree personal terms before opening formal negotiations with Aarau.
That push comes with a number that explains why the name is moving quickly: Filet scored 22 goals last season and was one of the standouts in the Swiss Challenge League. At 6ft1in, he is seen as strong in the air and clinical inside the penalty box, the sort of profile Celtic have been searching for as they look to add more firepower to the squad.
Filet’s rise has put him in the middle of a busy market. The 23-year-old has been described as the Swiss Challenge League Player of the Year and has one year left on his deal, which gives Aarau some room to negotiate but not enough to make the situation straightforward. Celtic’s interest is part of a wider race for his signature, and the timing matters because clubs are now moving from admiration to action.
Genk have already made an offer, while FC Lorient have been in contact with the striker’s agent and are expected to firm up their interest this week. That leaves Celtic trying to secure terms with the player first, then test Aarau’s position, a two-stage approach that can work only if the player is convinced before others close in. Martin O’Neill is also set to be appointed Celtic manager on a one-year deal with the option of a further 12 months, adding another layer to a summer in which the club’s attacking plan is being shaped quickly.
The key question now is whether Celtic can turn a video conference into an agreement before the rest of the chasing pack tightens its grip. If they can, Aarau’s leverage shrinks fast. If they cannot, Filet may become another forward Celtic admired from a distance while Genk and Lorient press their case first.
