The January transfer window is fast approaching, and with it comes a swirl of speculation that could see the long-standing striker conundrum at Celtic take a dramatic new turn. Reports emerging from Italy on December 29, 2025, suggest that Evan Ferguson’s stint at AS Roma may be coming to an abrupt end, with the 21-year-old Republic of Ireland international widely tipped to depart the Italian capital as early as next month. For Celtic fans, the mere mention of Ferguson’s name conjures memories of his recent heroics at Celtic Park—memories that may soon be more than just a painful footnote in their European campaign.
Ferguson, on loan at Roma from Brighton & Hove Albion, arrived in Serie A with plenty of promise following a pre-season that had supporters buzzing. Yet, the reality of top-flight Italian football has proven harsh. Since the start of the 2025-26 campaign, Ferguson has managed just one goal and one assist in domestic league action—a return that has fallen well short of expectations for both player and club. Manager Gian Piero Gasperini, known for his tactical demands, appears unconvinced, and the Italian press are already discussing the possibility of Ferguson’s exit when the window reopens.
Contrast that with Ferguson’s European form, and the story takes on a different hue. Celtic supporters will not soon forget the night he scored twice against the Hoops in the Europa League at Celtic Park, a performance that reignited talk of his potential and briefly silenced his critics. That brace, delivered under the bright lights and intense scrutiny of continental competition, seemed to hint at a turnaround in fortune for the Irishman after a series of injury setbacks. But as the dust settled, it became clear that his domestic struggles were not easily shaken off.
The uncertainty around Ferguson’s future has only intensified in recent weeks. According to journalist Emre Kurtulmus, Ferguson has already been offered to Turkish giants Fenerbahçe, while discussions are ongoing behind the scenes about a possible return to parent club Brighton & Hove Albion. For Roma, the loan experiment is looking increasingly like a gamble that hasn’t paid off, and the club may be keen to cut their losses before the season is too far gone.
It’s in this climate of flux that Celtic’s name has re-emerged in the conversation. The Scottish champions have been grappling with their own striker woes for much of the season. Injuries, inconsistency, and a lack of depth through the middle have repeatedly undermined their title ambitions, leaving supporters and pundits alike clamoring for a reliable focal point in attack. Earlier in the season, Ferguson was linked with a move to Glasgow, and those rumors have only grown louder as the January window draws near.
Former Roma and Liverpool defender John Arne Riise, speaking via the Irish Mirror on December 29, 2025, added fuel to the fire by suggesting that a move to Celtic could be just what Ferguson needs to reignite his career. "Italian football is also difficult to adapt to, I think it’s better for him to look somewhere else to get back his feeling," Riise said. He went on to highlight Ferguson’s performance against Celtic in the Europa League: "But then again, he stepped up and scored two goals in the Europa League, that might be what he needed to get back his confidence and the belief from the supporters and the club to believe in him because, don’t get me wrong, he’s a good player."
Riise didn’t stop there, drawing a clear line between Ferguson’s playing style and the demands of British football. "His style of play is more like Premier League, Championship, Scottish football, but now he’s scored two goals and hopefully that will push him on. Could he end up at Celtic? Never say never. He’s a player who fits better in those kind of clubs, to be fair." It’s a sentiment that will resonate with many in Glasgow, who see in Ferguson the kind of physically robust, direct striker that has traditionally thrived in the Scottish Premiership.
Of course, there are obstacles to any potential deal. Cost remains a significant concern—Ferguson’s Premier League profile means that even a short-term loan would not come cheap. There are also lingering questions about his fitness, given his history of injuries and the stop-start nature of his recent campaigns. Celtic would need to weigh the risks of another temporary fix against the urgent need for attacking reinforcements, especially as the title race heats up.
There’s also the matter of Brighton’s intentions. While Ferguson’s loan to Roma has not gone as planned, it remains to be seen whether Brighton would be willing to sanction another move so soon—particularly to a club that could directly impact their interests. Tony Bloom, Brighton’s owner, is reportedly reluctant to see Ferguson join Celtic, especially with Hearts still firmly in the mix at the top of the Scottish Premiership. The politics of the transfer market are never straightforward, and this situation is no exception.
Yet, from a purely footballing perspective, the logic for Celtic is clear. Ferguson is young, physically imposing, and brings a skill set that aligns perfectly with the demands of the Scottish game. His pressing, movement, and willingness to run in behind defenses could offer Celtic a dimension they have sorely lacked this season. If Brighton is not ready to reintegrate him into their squad, covering his wages for the next four months could be a pragmatic solution for all parties involved.
Adding another layer to the intrigue is Ferguson’s own affinity for Celtic. The striker has publicly expressed his support for the club, a detail that has not gone unnoticed by fans and commentators. That connection, combined with his profile and the club’s current needs, makes the prospect of a move to Glasgow all the more tantalizing.
Still, nothing is set in stone. The January window is notorious for its unpredictability, and with multiple clubs reportedly in the mix—including Fenerbahçe and a possible return to Brighton—Celtic will need to move decisively if they are to secure Ferguson’s services. The coming weeks promise plenty of twists and turns as all sides weigh their options and jockey for position.
For now, the situation remains fluid. Ferguson’s future hangs in the balance, and Celtic’s striker search continues. As the transfer window approaches, one thing is certain: the story is far from over, and the next chapter could be written sooner than anyone expects.
