West Ham United player suggested as Celtic transfer 'gamble' as ace 'close to an agreement' on Hammers exit
Celtic have some areas they will look to remedy in the January transfer window, with a West Ham United player touted.
A West Ham United player has been backed as the type of player Celtic may need to gamble on this January - as he closes in on an exit from the Premier League club.
Recruitment at the Premiership champions has been criticised this season and now it’s up to Martin O’Neill, player-pathway boss Shaun Maloney and remaining recruitment staff to lead that charge in the winter window. Wilfried Nancy has been fired as head coach with O’Neill replacing him until the end of the season and Paul Tisdale has also been axed from his head of football operations role.
A striker is required with Kyogo and Adam Idah not effectively replaced after their exits in 2025. One possible option in free agency could be Callum Wilson, who is ‘close to an agreement’ on ripping up his West Ham United contract, according to the BBC. He joined West Ham in the summer after time at Bournemouth and Newcastle United and has scored four goals in 18 matches.
West Ham United future update on Callum Wilson
Hammers boss Nuno Espirito Santo said on Monday: "Me and Callum we had a lot of conversations, just 10 minutes ago we were speaking about that situation. Two strikers have joined, correct. I personally decided these strikers have joined. Callum is a very experienced man, he's been in the game for so much time, he knows that his position has changed.
"We were honest with each other. Yes, your position has changed, but you are still a player for the club and we still maybe need him and he should help us because he joined us."
Former Celtic midfielder Barry Robson has asked where his ex-club could find a striker in the January window. Parkhead favourite Chris Sutton doesn’t think it will be a hard task given the club’s shortage of options, and while his injury record is patchy, the ex-striker reckons someone like Wilson is the calibre of player the Hoops may need to take educated risks with.
Who will Celtic sign at striker this month?
Robson queried on Sky Sports: “For me, where do you get a top striker in January? Top teams are not going to sell their best striker in January.”
Sutton responded with backing for the West Ham United man, adding: “Barry, where do you get a better striker than what Celtic have got? In truth I don’t think it’s too difficult. There is talk of Callum Wilson and his contract ending at West Ham. I know he has been injury prone before but Celtic have to gamble.
“That’s not a position the club or the fans want to be in but that’s what they have to do now. Celtic are six points behind Hearts and Rangers have caught them up. Nobody can tell me there hasn’t been complacency. You only need to look at what’s happened. It’s short-term now and needs must, back Martin O’Neill in January, and give yourselves the best possible chance of winning the Premiership. That is all Celtic can do now.”