Qarabag set to beat Celtic to Sambou Soumano after Hoops missed out on Champions League | OneFootball

Lorient striker Sambou Soumano has opted to join Qarabag ahead of Celtic, according to Azerbaijan outlet Baku Post.

Celtic had been looking to snap up the Senegalese with manager Brendan Rodgers eager to bolster his attack at the Parkhead club.

However, failure to qualify for the league phase of the Champions League is set to see the Hoops miss out on Soumano.

The 24-year-old now prefers to join the Azerbaijani club ahead of Celtic as they are on the verge of qualifying for the elite European competition.

The Bhoys lost 3-2 on penalties to Kazakhstan Premier League club FC Kairat last night after both legs of the Champions League play-offs ended goalless.

On the other hand, Qarabag defeated Ferencvaros 3-1 away from home in the first-leg and are favourites to proceed to the league phase tonight when they play the return leg in front of their home fans.

Soumano bagged 14 goals in Ligue 2 last term and 12 times in 2023-24, helping Lorient seal promotion to Ligue 1.

Celtic could do with such a number 9 as Rodgers has been crying out for reinforcements in the position, but the Senegalese appears to have chosen another club.

Blackburn Rovers were also recently linked, but Qarabag look to be in the driving seat having already agreed terms with the player and his club.

Celtic will now need to look elsewhere for the attacking depth their manager is in dire need of.

Their lack of quality attacking firepower was evident against Kairat, with Daizen Maeda missing a glorious chance to bag what would have been a crucial winner in the 86th minute last night.

The Hoops will now look to impress in the Europa League, but failure to bring in a quality striker capable of getting the job done against European opponents could prove costly.