Vakoun Bayo looks set to make a return to Celtic, according to a report. The Ivorian striker spent a season at Toulouse scoring 13 goals but it looks as if the Ligue 2 outfit have decided against exercising their option to buy. According to The Daily Record, Bayo will return to Lennoxtown for pre-season and be afforded an opportunity by new manager Ange Postecoglou.
Injuries hampered his progress in Glasgow with the 24-year-old missing preseason before returning to fitness in time to sign for the Ligue 2 side. The player was clearly not a Brendan Rodgers signing, which meant that he wasn’t integrated into the first team when he arrived. Injuries and a lack of match fitness meant that Neil Lennon didn’t have a chance to fully utilise him; however, Lennon appeared to give him a chance but Bayo didn’t appear a better option than Griffiths or Edouard. Now, Ange Postecoglou could be set to give the player a fresh chance to impress for the Hoops.
With Patryk Klimala leaving for New York and Odsonne Edouard on the brink of a transfer to Leicester City, Postecoglou will be grateful to have another option in attack with just Albian Ajeti set to return for pre-season. Leigh Griffiths is awaiting an update from the club as to whether or not he will be offered another year meaning that Bayo’s return will give the Australian boss another option in attack.
Bayo couldn’t help Toulouse gain promotion and it is likely due to this that his loan wasn’t made into a permanent move, despite impressing. Bayo scored the only goal in the second leg win over Nantes but the away goals rule scuppered their chances of making the top division. However, as they say, their loss could be our gain with the new manager set to look at Bayo.
