Celtic Join The Race For This Free-Scoring French Forward: Why They Must Get The Deal Done | OneFootball

If a recent report from Sky Sports is believed to be true, Celtic are weighing up a summer move for Elias Filet. But they are not alone in the hunt, with Belgian giants Genk and French side FC Lorient also in the race for the free-scoring FC Aarau hitman.

The 24-year-old Frenchman progressed through the academy ranks of FC Gobelins, AS Meudon (2019-2020) and FC Sochaux before breaking into the latter’s first-team squad. Despite impressing for their reserves, Filet struggled to earn senior minutes and was eventually loaned to the Luxembourg outfit Progrès Niederkorn for the 2022-23 season.

Although the ‘number 9’ showcased his expertise high up the pitch with 20 goals in 32 outings, Sochaux opted not to retain him, leading to his Bosman move to Croatian club Istra 1961. However, he failed to replicate his scoring run and was on the move again in January 2025. Aarau, competing in the Swiss second tier, snapped him up for free, but his dismal form in the second half of the 2024-25 campaign cast doubts over his ability.

Revival In Switzerland

Meanwhile, Filet turned things around last season, having scored 22 goals and assisted 6 times in 40 appearances across competitions. His scintillating form earned the Eagles a promotion playoff spot, which ended in an extra-time heartbreak against Grasshoppers. They surrendered a 2-0 lead and settled for a draw with Yverdon Sport FC in the final gameweek of the regular campaign and therefore finished a point off the champions, FC Vaduz, who earned automatic promotion despite losing the penultimate fixture against Aarau.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – APRIL 25: Ross Doohan, Daizen Maeda, Dane Murray and Kelechi Iheanacho of Celtic acknowledge the fans following the William Hill Premiership match between Celtic and Falkirk at Celtic Park Stadium on April 25, 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Zak Mauger/Getty Images)

With his current deal set to expire next summer, Filet is expected to seek fresh opportunities elsewhere rather than battling for promotion for a third successive season. Aaru should look to make a monetary profit from his sale, and Celtic, aiming for a new name up top, must step up the chase to secure his services for a minuscule fee.

Why Celtic Must Snap Him Up

The Hoops made late calls in the winter window and brought Tomas Cvancara and Junior Adamu on loan from Bundesliga outfits Borussia Monchengladbach and Freiburg, respectively. They have now returned to their parent clubs, failing to leave an impact in Scottish football, and Kelechi Iheanacho, who has scored some crucial late goals en route to their domestic double, has yet to be handed an extension, given his persistent injury woes.

Callum Osmand is drawing interest from south of the border, whereas versatile Daizen Maeda has reiterated his desire to part ways in the summer. Celtic are assessing whether to integrate Johnny Kenny into the first-team squad after a promising loan stint with Bolton Wanderers in the English League One, and the arrival of Filet would be a much-needed boost amid the uncertainties over their striking options. The young centre-forward is an outright targetman, and his presence in and around the box would see him fit in Martin O’Neill’s traditional 4-2-3-1 formation.