Bidding war for Kieron Bowie forces Celtic to weigh costly gamble

Sassuolo and Bologna have entered formal talks to acquire 23‑year‑old Scottish striker Kieron Bowie, with Hellas Verona setting a £10 million price tag for the forward. Bowie, who is contracted to Northampton Town, recently featured in their League One match against Barnsley.

Verona, who paid Hibernian a club‑record £6 million for Bowie in January 2026, were relegated to Serie B and are now seeking to recoup a profit by demanding £10 million. During his 14‑game spell in Italy, Bowie recorded four goals and one assist, demonstrating an immediate impact. Sassuolo, comfortable in mid‑table, have a particular affinity for Scottish players, having signed left‑back Josh Doig from Verona two years ago, and have placed Bowie at the top of their shopping list. Bundesliga clubs had shown major interest earlier, but those negotiations have now stalled.

Celtic have received no fresh contact this summer despite a long‑standing link with the forward, and the club’s board recognises that a £10 million outlay for a player with only 14 top‑flight appearances is a substantial risk. Steve Clarke’s decision to omit Bowie from Scotland’s recent World Cup squad was widely criticised as baffling. Manager Martin O’Neill, who requires ready‑made elite quality for the Champions League, is unlikely to view Bowie as the solution to the squad’s immediate needs.

Instead, Celtic have already progressed on a £3 million transfer for Qarabag winger Camilo Duran, a player who fits their tactical system perfectly. Allocating a large portion of the remaining budget to Bowie would leave the squad with glaring gaps ahead of the European campaign.

If the £10 million fee materialises, Hibernian stand to benefit from a sell‑on clause, securing a significant financial boost. Sassuolo and Bologna will continue to battle for Bowie’s signature, while Celtic can redirect resources toward more pressing areas of the squad.