Celtic transfer target exit timeline revealed after English Premier League talisman left out of FA Cup squad
The sought-after Hoops target was left out of West Ham’s squad in their extra time victory over QPR.
As the January transfer window takes shape, Celtic are still in the hunt for an out and out goalscorer.
The Hoops got back to winning ways on Saturday against Dundee United, in match where they had no trouble finding the target. Yang Hyun-jun, Arne Engels, Benjamin Nygren and Daizen Maeda all got in on the action, as Martin O’Neill steered his side to a comfortable victory on his Parkhead return.
Despite the routine win, once again Maeda and substitute Johnny Kenny both missed chances as the Celtic forward line continue to lack attacking cutting edge. The number nine position has been identified as an area the Hoops must strengthen in January.
Veteran West Ham striker Callum Wilson has been linked with a move to Glasgow’s East End as O’Neill looks for more quality in the final third. Having not featured at all for The Hammers at the weekend, the timeline has now been revealed for Wilson’s London Stadium departure.
Wilson set for imminent West Ham departure
According to TalkSPORT, Callum Wilson’s West Ham contract will be terminated within the next week. That is after the Celtic-linked striker was left out of the squad for the FA Cup clash with QPR. The Irons defeated their London rivals 2-1 after extra time to progress to the fourth round.
Wilson has been in and out of the West Ham squad since signing in the summer and is currently on a pay as you play contract in the East End of London, due to his unfortunate injury record. However this is set to expire at the end of the season.
The 33-year old has six Premier League goal contributions to his name this season despite his minutes being limited. Last week’s 3-0 defeat to Wolves at Molineux was the first time he’d played a full 90 minutes all season. Wilson spent his early career in the lower divisions, before helping Bournemouth to Premier League promotion in 2015. He now has 92 Premier League goals to his name for The Cherries, Newcastle United and West Ham.
Wilson not ruling out World Cup selection
A Parkhead deal for the striker would benefit not just Celtic, but Wilson himself as well, as he has ambitions of playing for England in the 2026 World Cup despite his age. He currently has nine England caps to his name, but hasn’t featured for the Three Lions since 2023. A Hoops move would guarantee the prolific striker more minutes to grab Thomas Tuchel’s attention.
Speaking to TalkSPORT in November, he said: “I wouldn’t say I’ve retired myself from international football by any means, there’s a World Cup around the corner of course, I've had my eye on that from the pre-season. So I’m working hard towards it.
“But the most important thing for me is getting myself in the team and when you are given the opportunity, trying to take that and focusing week in, week out. That's the only thing that gets you into the England squad as I’ve experienced many times before. There’s a long way to go before that squad’s announced and why not make a late charge for it.”