Celtic could be in the market for a new number nine when the summer transfer window opens for business because of their struggles in that area of the pitch this term.

Daizen Maeda has filled in at times, scoring 14 goals in 36 Scottish Premiership matches, whilst Junior Adamu and Tomas Cvancara both joined in January and combined for two league goals.

Kelechi Iheanacho produced some clutch moments, scoring late winners against Motherwell and Hibernian towards the end of the campaign, but he was not available on a regular basis.

Due to multiple hamstring injuries, the Nigeria international only played in 14 of the club's 38 league games, and only started five of his 14 appearances.

The left-footed forward did show off his quality in those limited outings, scoring five goals for the Scottish giants, but he was not reliable enough for Martin O'Neill over the course of the campaign.

Celtic could see bid accepted for Scotland international

It now remains to be seen whether Iheanacho, whose contract includes an option to extend by a further year, will still be at Parkhead at the start of next season.

The Hoops could decide to keep the former Manchester City marksman on as a back-up to use when he is available, whilst signing another striker to be the first-choice week-in-week-out.

According to Football Insider, Celtic are interested in making Hellas Verona centre-forward Kieron Bowie their centre-forward signing in the summer transfer window.

The report claims that the Scotland international could be available in the off-season after the Italian side were relegated from the Serie A, as they are 14 points adrift with one match left.

It adds that the Hoops are likely to be keen on a deal for the 23-year-old marksman and that he is set to be available for a fee of £6m, which means that Celtic know how much they need to pay to see a bid accepted.

Football Insider reveals that Hellas Verona signed him from Hibernian for £6m in January, amid interest from Celtic and Rangers, but their relegation could see them cash in for the same price.

How Kieron Bowie would be an upgrade on Kelechi Iheanacho

Celtic must push through a deal to bring Bowie back to Scotland in the summer transfer window because he would be a dream upgrade on Iheanacho next season.

He has only missed 20 games through injury in his senior career, playing 35 or more matches in three of the last four seasons, whilst Iheanacho missed 25 matches in the 2025/26 campaign alone.

On top of being consistently available, Bowie is also an excellent centre-forward who has shown his quality in one of Europe's major leagues in 2026, despite his side's relegation.

The Scottish attacker has scored four goals from 3.52 xG in 13 appearances in the Serie A, scoring goals against European giants Inter and Juventus in recent weeks.

Prior to his success in Italy, Bowie also scored eight goals from 5.69 xG in the Premiership with Hibs, which means that he has proven himself as a clinical finisher in the Premiership and the Serie A this season.

Iheanacho, meanwhile, scored six goals from 6.47 xG in the Premiership and Europa League combined, missing eight 'big chances', for Celtic this season, suggesting that he is not as clinical as the £6m-rated forward.

Bowie, who was described as the "perfect lone striker" by writer Kai Watson, has also shown great physicality in Scotland and Italy, winning 5.0 duels a game in the Serie A and 4.8 per match in the Premiership this term.

This suggests that the Scottish star is more suited to playing as a sole centre-forward than Iheanacho, who won 1.8 duels per game in the league for the Hoops, because he has the strength and awareness to consistently win duels against physical defenders.

Overall, the Hellas Verona striker would be a big upgrade on the Nigerian because of his availability, finishing quality, and physicality as a number nine.

On top of that, Bowie is six years younger, at 23, and could be Celtic's main number nine for many years to come if they can strike a deal for his services in the summer transfer window.