If Celtic’s valuation is met AJ will be gone – Araujo is ideal replacement | OneFootball

If AJ is indeed for the off, then Julian Araujo surely has to be his replacement…

Rumours are circulating that a bid for our star right back Alistair Johnston is imminent, with Everton the club credited with an interest in the Canadian international.

According to reliable sources, Toffee’s boss Davie Moyes is a huge fan of the 27 year old who cost the club £3 million back in 2022 when Ange Postecoglou signed him from Montreal, and is going to test the club’s resolve with a lowball bid in the region of £10 million.

23rd May 2026; Hampden Park, Glasgow, Scotland; Scottish Cup Final Football, Celtic versus Dunfermline; Alistair Johnston of Celtic on the ball. Photo Vagelis Georgariou

It’s Celtic getting a taste of their own medicine and hopefully they’ll see the funny side before telling the former Celtic full back that the only half price sale they’re contemplating is in the club shop.

I’m hopeful that we can keep hold of the battling right back, but realistically if a big offer comes our way that meets the club’s valuation then like so many others before him, Alistair Johnson will certainly be on his way out the door.

Colby Donovan of Celtic with a tackle on Davide Bartesaghi of AC Milan during the Celtic v AC Milan match in a pre-season friendly at Celtic Park on July 25, 2026. (Photo by WM Sport Media/Getty Images)

That will leave us particularly weak in the right back area, with only Tony Ralston, and Colby Donovan as options, and neither are capable of filling  void left by the Canadian World Cup star performer and accordingly a replacement will have to be signed.

15th February 2026; Rugby Park, Kilmarnock. Scottish Premiership, Kilmarnock v Celtic; Julian Araujo celebrates after he scores in the 97th minute to make it 3-2 to Celtic. Photo Vagelis Georgariou.

For me that can mean only one thing, and that is a move for Julian Araujo, a player who proved ever so popular due to a successful but rather fleeting loan spell last season.

The Mexican international was signed on loan from Bournemouth last January, ironically as cover for the injured AJ, and stood out with some terrific performances only to pick up an Injury in the dramatic Scottish cup quarter final win over the Rangers at Ibrox. Despite his attempts to overcome his injury, he was sequentially sent back to Bournemouth with his loan spell cut prematurely short.

Despite being here such a short period, the Los Angeles born Mexican international proved pivotal in Celtic’s eventual title success, due to sterling performances, with his last gasp goal at Rugby Park against Kilmarnock proving to be so vital in the final standings.

It would cost in the region of £8 million to sign Araujo from Bournemouth, but any suitable fee that Alistair Johnston would fetch would cover that number and more, as Celtic will be looking for £20m for the player.

Salary might be an issue, as Araujo is reportedly on £50,000 a week, but I’m sure a deal can be done to lower that figure as we’ve done with several other key signings in the past.

Julian Araujo to replace Alistair Johnston in the event of the latter departing, is the only viable alternative. My guess though is that Alistair Johnston will NOT be heading to Everton for a variety of reasons, most importantly their failure to appreciate Celtic’s valuation.

On a wider point, does lowballing ever work? Just seems to cause arguments as far as I can ascertain.

Just an Ordinary Bhoy

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