Celtic linked with £3m move for Malian international winger | OneFootball

It’s been a frustratingly quiet couple of weeks when it comes to Celtic being linked with wide attackers, arguably the area of the squad most in need of urgent reinforcement. But that silence might just be breaking.

Oumar Traoré

According to an exclusive from Africafoot, Celtic have made contact with Al Jazira over Malian international winger Oumar Traoré, known as “N’diefi.”

The 23-year-old has been a playing in the UAE Pro League for several seasons, winning the league title in 2020/21, the UAE Super Cup, and most recently the UAE League Cup in 2024/25.

The report claims Celtic are willing to meet his €3 million release clause, though wages of around €1.5 million per year would also need to be agreed. Traoré is under contract until June 2027 and has made 140 appearances for Al Jazira, scoring 24 goals and providing 19 assists. As per the report, negotiations are said to be progressing well, and a move to Glasgow could be on the cards if terms are finalised in the coming days.

Traoré is predominately a right winger for his club, but has also played on the opposite flank. And in a Brendan Rodgers team it’s safe to assume the fact he’s right footed may mean the intention would to play him off the left. But it’s interesting he can operate on either side, given Celtic’s current paucity of suitable options. Traoré has also been capped three times, scoring once for Mali.

It should be noted that, for now, Africafoot appears to be the only outlet running with this story, so extreme caution is advised. Still, seeing as we’ve been starved of even winger rumours – never mind actual signings – the mere emergence of a credible name is enough to spark a wee bit of optimism at least.

Celtic’s urgent need for wide reinforcements has been obvious for some time following the sale of Nicolas Kuhn and the long term injury to Jota. While Daizen Maeda has shown he can be very effective as a central striker, he’s had to return to the left wing at the start of this season, as we have no natural left sided attackers.

James Forrest during the Scottish Premiership match between Aberdeen and Celtic at Pittodrie on 10 August 2025. Photo Stephen Dobsonx PSI (IMAGO)

Meanwhile on the right side Celtic do have three options. But the fact 34 year old James Forrest has returned to first choice pick, and deservedly so, tells us what we need to know about Yang and Marco Tilio’s chances of succeeding Kuhn as Celtic’s first choice right winger.

With the transfer window closing in fast, and a Champions League play-off against FC Kairat Almaty looming, the pressure is very much on to strengthen out wide both as first pick and rotation options.

Antwerp s Michel Ange Balikwisha celebrates after scoring during the match between Royal Antwerp FC and OH Leuven, Sunday 10 August 2025 in Antwerp, on day 3 of the 2025-2026 Jupiler Pro League first division of the Belgian championship. Photo Tom Goyvaerts IMAGO / Belga

There’s also renewed chatter that the long-running Michel Ange Balikwisha ‘will he, won’t he’ saga may finally be tipping towards a ‘will’ rather than a ‘won’t.’ The Antwerp winger has been a transfer window constant for about three windows now, so it would be good to have this one concluded.

Royal Antwerp FC v OH Leuven – Jupiler Pro League DEURNE, BELGIUM – AUGUST 10 : Balikwisha Michel-Ange forward of Royal Antwerp FC celebrates scoring a goal with teammates during the Jupiler Pro League match between Royal Antwerp FC and OH Leuven on August 10, 2025 in Deurne, Belgium, 10/08/2025 Deurne Belgium Photo: Gvg/ IMAGO

We’ve been here before of course, but there seems to be some knowledgeable types saying this one could be done by next week. If that was by Tuesday it would mean Balikwisha could feasibly play in the second leg of the Champions League Play off, although the first leg might be a push.

Tyrell Malacia in action during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Brentford FC at Old Trafford on April 05, 2023. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

There’s one more rumour kicking around this evening too and that’s Tyrell Malacia, the Manchester United left-back being linked with Celtic again. Happy to share it, but that one has always felt like a wrong fit for the club.

The fee might be reasonable enough, but his wages are apparently north of £70k a week, his injury record is a worry, and he’s not likely to want to move to Celtic to rotate with Kieran Tierney. A loan deal, at a push, would perhaps be possible, but it sounds like a longshot.

Royal Antwerp FC v OH Leuven – Jupiler Pro League DEURNE, BELGIUM – AUGUST 10 : Balikwisha Michel-Ange forward of Royal Antwerp FC celebrates scoring a goal with teammates during the Jupiler Pro League match between Royal Antwerp FC and OH Leuven on August 10, 2025 in Deurne, Belgium, 10/08/2025 Deurne Belgium Photo: Gvg/ IMAGO

For now, both the Traoré link and the Balikwisha whispers should be taken with a pinch of salt. But given the long drought of credible winger talk this summer, Celtic fans might be forgiven for seasoning that pinch with a dash of much-needed, and probably overdue, optimism.

Niall J

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