Celtic target labelled 'very difficult to play against' offered transfer advice after 'initial enquiry' made
The England cap has been heavily linked with a January move to the Scottish champions as he gets set to terminate his contract with the Hammers
Celtic have made ‘initial enquiries’ with Callum Wilson’s representatives as he prepares to exit West Ham United - but the in-demand striker has been urged to snub a move to Parkhead in favour of staying in the Premier League.
The 33-year-old prolific hitman is one of the standout names being strongly linked with a mid-season switch to the Scottish champions as interim boss Martin O’Neill scrambles to find a reliable forward option this month.
Wilson - capped once by England - will become a free agent imminently as he gets ready to tear up his contract with the relegation-threatened Hammers. And the Hoops, Coventry City and Sevilla have all been name-checked as potential destinations, while fellow English top-flight side Everton are claimed to have added the striker to their wish list this week.
Celtic haven’t cranked up their pursuit of Wilson as of yet, but talkSPORT have reported that an ‘initial enquiry’ was made to the player’s side only on Thursday to ‘establish if Wilson’s contract going to be terminated.’
It’s also noted that Wilson will still harbour ‘relatively high wage expectations’, with West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo asked about his current status during a press conference this afternoon.
“We are working on ins and outs,” he responded. “I feel that we need to rebalance our squad and bring in more options for some positions and also find the best solutions for the players that are not having minutes, to go and proceed with their careers.
“We are working very hard as a club to find the right ones, in what is a very tricky transfer window to operate. We have to make good decisions and we cannot afford mistakes.”
Callum Wilson to Everton pitch made by former Wales international
Ex-Everton and Swansea City defender Ashley Williams is urging Wilson to snub a move north of the border in favour of heading to Merseyside instead.
The 86-times capped Wales international said: “If they can get Callum Wilson fit and keep him fit, I think he would fit the Everton style of play and David Moyes’ team. I can see him being successful, if he can stay fit, he’s very difficult to play against, and he would suit the style of football that Everton at playing.”
Celtic boss O’Neill reiterated their need to bring in reinforcements in attack amid links to Chelsea misfit David Datro Fofana, Croatian marksman Franko Kovacevic and Lorient’s Mohamed Bamba.
O’Neill: ‘We definitely need to get a centre forward’
The 73-year-old Irishman admitted after Wednesday night’s 1-0 Premiership win over Falkirk: “You can tell that we definitely need to get a centre forward. Young Johnny Kenny has done really fine in the games but I think it's really harsh to put that kind of pressure on a young lad.
“We're looking for help. I'm not diverting to your thing, but I'm just not answering you! But you know, I am trying. I know I haven't done anything since yesterday but I am trying. We will definitely get people in.”