As Celtic move closer to officially appointing Wilfried Nancy as their new permanent manager, the first hints of his January transfer priorities are already beginning to emerge, and they are anything but cautious.
According to The Scottish Sun, Nancy is preparing to launch an ambitious move for Columbus Crew striker Wessam Abou Ali as soon as he takes charge at Parkhead.
If true, this would represent a dramatic shift from the conservative, risk-averse recruitment that frustrated supporters throughout the summer. More importantly, it would offer a clear insight into how Nancy sees Celtic’s shortcomings, and the type of player he believes can transform the team.
Nancy is known for building sides that press cohesively, move the ball vertically and rely heavily on a strong, technically capable No.9. And in Abou Ali, he has a player who fits that mould perfectly.
The Palestinian international was signed by Columbus Crew in July for £5.7 million from Al Ahly, arriving as a Designated Player and instantly becoming one of their highest-valued assets. He repaid that faith quickly, scoring three goals in his first five appearances and showcasing the blend of physicality, mobility and finishing power that has made him a favourite of Nancy.
At 6ft 1ins, Abou Ali is not just a penalty-box presence, he links play, protects the ball and finishes with both feet and his head. His perfect hat-trick for Al Ahly against Porto at the FIFA Club World Cup last year is the clearest example of what he offers.
In short, he is everything Celtic have been missing.
With Abou Ali under contract until 2027, and with Columbus holding an option for an extra year, this is not a cheap deal. The report makes clear that Celtic would need to “pay top dollar” to prise the striker away from MLS, likely pushing into the £7–10 million+ bracket.
That alone makes the rumour significant.
Celtic have spent the past two windows avoiding marquee deals and leaning heavily on speculative projects. Supporters have been vocal about their frustration, especially with over £70 million sitting in the bank and the squad crying out for proven starters.
If the board are now willing to back Nancy with a signing of this scale, it would signal a major, and long overdue, shift in ambition.
Abou Ali’s rise has not been straightforward. He collapsed on the pitch while playing in Denmark in 2020, with early reports suggesting a heart-rate issue. Not long after returning, he suffered a punctured lung and fractured ribs.
Most players would have seen their careers fade at that point.
Instead, Abou Ali fought back, rebuilt himself, and went on to score 28 goals in 35 matches for Al Ahly before making his move to MLS. His resilience and mentality align perfectly with Nancy’s demands, and with what Celtic supporters expect from anyone wearing the shirt.
The biggest takeaway from this report isn’t just that Nancy wants Abou Ali, it’s what the move symbolises.
A new manager identifying a high-level, ready-made striker.
A board under pressure after the AGM chaos.
A squad lacking goals, presence and leadership up top.
A fanbase demanding proper investment.
This is exactly the type of signing Celtic should be targeting: proven, powerful, the right age, and with the mentality to thrive at a club under intense scrutiny.
If Nancy pushes for Abou Ali, and Celtic deliver, it will send a clear message that the club is finally prepared to back a manager properly and build a squad capable of restoring standards.
Soccer Football – FIFA Club World Cup – Group A – FC Porto v Al Ahly – MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S. – June 23, 2025 Al Ahly’s Wessam Abou Ali celebrates scoring their first goal REUTERS/Susana Vera
For now, we wait for the official confirmation of Nancy’s arrival, but the early signs suggest he is not coming here to tread water.
He is coming to reshape Celtic. And Wessam Abou Ali may well be the first piece of that rebuild.
