Celtic Scout This High-flying Mexican Ahead Of A Summer Move – Would He Solve Their Striker Problem? | OneFootball

If the recent reports from Mexico (as cited by The Scottish Sun) are true, Celtic are keeping close tabs on Armando Gonzalez and have sent scouts to monitor his progress ahead of a potential summer move. But the Hoops are not alone in the race, with Barcelona and West Ham also in the mix for the Chivas Guadalajara hitman, The Daily Record understands.

The 22-year-old Mexico international spent his youth years at Real Aguascalientes and Chivas before joining Tapatío in the second tier. There, he made his senior debut in November 2020, but eventually returned to his boyhood club ahead of the 2023-24 season.

After sporadic top-flight appearances over the past two seasons, Gonzalez finally broke through last year, scoring 12 goals in the Apertura 2025 season. He won the Golden Boot (jointly with Paulinho and João Pedro), being their highest scorer, and was awarded the Liga MX MVP for his emergence in Mexican football.

ZAPOPAN, MEXICO – FEBRUARY 14: Armando Gonzalez of Chivas celebrates after scoring the team’s first goal during the 6th round match between Chivas and America as part of the Torneo Clausura 2026 Liga MX at Akron Stadium on February 14, 2026, in Zapopan, Mexico. (Photo by Simon Barber/Getty Images)

The young centre-forward has maintained his exquisite scoring record in the Clausura with five goals in six games. He rejected a £14m move to the Russian giants CSKA Moscow last year, but is destined for a summer exit amid growing interest from several European outfits, including the Glasgow giants.

Why Gonzalez Would Fit In Celtic Attack

Gonzalez is known as ‘La Hormiga’ (The Ant) in Mexico for his small physique, but a persistent, high-energy style of play. His relentless work ethic and bustling movements across the frontline should see him flourish in the modern-day game. He is also aggressive enough to attune to the grind and demands of the Scottish game.

Celtic will go through a transition in the summer, with the board set for a fresh managerial appointment, beyond Martin O’Neill’s interim stint until the end of the current campaign. They must make decisions on several loan signings, as well as a few contract extensions, including attacking reinforcements Tomas Cvancara, Junior Adamu and Kelechi Iheanacho.

Meanwhile, the Bhoys banked on Iheanacho high up the pitch following his Bosman arrival in September. But the Nigerian has missed months of action due to persistent injury woes, thus forcing the club to loan in Cvancara and Adamu in the winter window. They must splash £7m and £4.3m, respectively, to tie them down on permanent terms; however, the ‘number 9’ pair have yet to impress enough to justify the price tag.

Although Daizen Maeda is in dreadful form, the Japanese ace and his fellow countryman Kyogo Furuhashi have been the most prolific goal scorers in recent times. Gonzalez’s style of play resembles that of Furuhashi and Maeda, and it remains to be seen whether the board prefers him over the current options, who have a different profile than the Mexican talent.