Key Points
- Transfer Link: Celtic have reportedly entered the race to sign French forward Elias Filet from Swiss Challenge League side FC Aarau.
- Source of Report: The development was initially broken by Sky Sports Switzerland, detailing advanced preliminary discussions.
- Contract Status: The 24-year-old striker has entered the final twelve months of his current contract with FC Aarau, increasing the likelihood of a summer departure.
- Prolific Form: Elias Filet completed a highly successful domestic campaign, netting 22 goals across all competitions in the Swiss second tier.
- Direct Dialogue: The Scottish Premiership champions have held a video conference with the player’s representatives to outline personal terms.
- Transfer Competition: Celtic face strong external interest, with Belgian Pro League outfit Genk having submitted an official bid, and French side Lorient establishing contact.
- Squad Depletion: The Hoops are actively seeking attacking reinforcements following the return of loan strikers Junior Adamu and Tomas Cvancara to their respective parent clubs in Germany.
Glasgow (Glasgow Express) June 10, 2026 — Celtic have intensified their pursuit of FC Aarau’s prolific forward Elias Filet as they look to resolve their summer attacking shortage, according to recent reports originating from continental Europe. The Scottish Premiership champions have opened direct lines of communication with the player’s camp to establish the financial framework of a potential deal before entering formal club-to-club negotiations. Sky Sports Switzerland has revealed that a video conference took place on Tuesday between Celtic officials and the 24-year-old’s representatives, highlighting the club’s intent to secure his signature ahead of a competitive field of European suitors.
The French-born striker has become one of the most sought-after assets outside of Europe’s top-flight leagues after registering 22 goals in the Swiss Challenge League last season.
With his contract at FC Aarau set to expire in the summer of 2027, the Swiss club is under pressure to monetise their star asset during the current transfer window rather than risking a free-transfer departure next year.
Could Elias Filet Solve Celtic’s Forward Shortage?
As detailed by sports journalist reports across Scotland, Brendan Rodgers’ squad is experiencing a notable lack of depth in the central striking department ahead of the pre-season schedule.
At present, the Glasgow club possesses limited natural options to lead the line. Japan international Daizen Maeda, who frequently operates on the wing, and young forward Johnny Kenny remain the primary internal options.
The club’s forward line has been significantly depleted following the conclusion of the previous campaign. Loan forwards Junior Adamu and Tomas Cvancara have both returned to their parent clubs in the German Bundesliga.
Furthermore, Celtic have yet to trigger the contract extension option for experienced forward Kelechi Iheanacho, leaving the frontline vulnerable to injuries and structural fatigue.
Who Else Is Chasing The FC Aarau Marksman?
According to reporting from The Herald sports desk, Celtic are not alone in their evaluation of the former Sochaux youth product.
The publication notes that Belgian club Genk have already taken concrete steps by submitting a formal transfer offer to FC Aarau.
Simultaneously, French Ligue 2 side Lorient have registered their interest. Lorient have established direct communication with Filet’s management team and are widely expected to counter Genk’s proposal with an official bid of their own in the coming days.
This multi-club interest creates a competitive market environment that could drive up the initial valuation of the player.
What Do The Media Reports Say About The Negotiations?
As reported by the editorial team at The Celtic Way, Celtic have “stepped up” their pursuit to ensure they do not lose ground to continental rivals.
The media title outlined that the Parkhead club is prioritising an agreement on personal terms with the player’s representatives prior to submitting a formal written offer to the FC Aarau board.
The strategy aims to ensure that the player is fully receptive to a move to the Scottish Premiership and the prospect of European football before financial negotiations between the two clubs commence.
Background of This Particular Development
Elias Zaian Filet, born in Paris in March 2002, has enjoyed a non-traditional rise through the European football pyramid. Standing at 1.86 metres, the left-footed central striker began his senior career within the youth academy of French club Sochaux, where he was highly regarded but found first-team opportunities limited, making just a single senior league appearance.
A career-defining move to Luxembourgish side Progrès Niederkorn in 2022 saw Filet establish himself as a highly efficient goalscorer, where he scored 20 goals in 23 league appearances.
Following a brief and less productive spell with Croatian top-flight side Istra 1961, where he managed four goals in 30 appearances, Filet transferred to FC Aarau in January 2025.
In Switzerland, his career experienced a significant resurgence. His performances during the 2025–26 campaign earned him widespread acclaim, culminating in him being named the Swiss Challenge League Player of the Season. His return of 22 goals across all competitions solidified his status as one of the premier attacking talents outside of Europe’s tier-one divisions, prompting the current scouting interest from clubs like Celtic, Genk, and Lorient.
Prediction: How This Development Can Affect Celtic Supporters and Squad Dynamics
Should Celtic successfully secure the signature of Elias Filet, the development will directly impact Celtic supporters by altering expectations around the club’s transfer philosophy and on-field tactical options.
For the fan base, signing a player from the Swiss second tier represents a calculated gamble, reminiscent of the club’s previous successful “hidden gem” recruitment strategies. Supporters can expect a physically robust, left-footed target man who provides a distinct tactical alternative to the pace-oriented, drifting runs of Daizen Maeda.
This acquisition would alleviate anxieties among the fans regarding the club’s lack of depth, ensuring that an injury to a single forward does not compromise the club’s domestic title defence or their upcoming European campaign.
Conversely, if Celtic fail to conclude a deal and Filet opts for Genk or Lorient, it will likely intensify pressure from the supporters on the Celtic board to deliver high-calibre attacking additions before the transfer window closes, given the current shortage of recognized center-forwards.
