According to former defender Mark Wilson (as claimed by the Glasgow Live), Celtic are eyeing a summer swoop for Sunderland hitman Charlie Wyke. The Englishman is out of contract this summer and might opt for a Bosman move if the Black Cats fail to ensure promotion.
“It’s understood that Sunderland striker Charlie Wyke is on a list of potential summer signings. Looking into him, he’s scored 30 goals this season in League One. He’s 28-years-old and he’s available on a free transfer.”
Wilson told the Celtic Huddle Podcast (as quoted by the Glasgow Live) while discussing the club’s transfer priorities during the upcoming transfer window.
Wyke progressed through the youth ranks of Middlesbrough but could not secure a senior status for the Riversiders. A low-key move to fourth-tier Carlisle saw him showing some spark while spearheading the attack and eventually earning a League One move with Bradford City in January 2017.
He was then roped in by Sunderland in a minuscule figure and finally hit the ground this season with 30 goals so far in 49 appearances across competitions. Although the past two campaigns were not impressive enough, the form he is in must have alerted many considering his contract situation at the Stadium of Light.
Celtic are eyeing Charlie Wyke to resolve their conundrum high up the pitch. They have got the likes of Odsonne Edouard, Leigh Griffiths and Albian Ajeti as ‘number 9’ options with Patryk Klimala already leaving for New York Red Bulls after failing to attune to the demands of Scottish football.
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Griffiths is not the same player he used to be a few years back whereas Ajeti, too, failed to grab his opportunities under Neil Lennon. Edouard is expected to complete a high-profile summer transfer and the situation, therefore, would only worsen unless the Hoops rope in able replacements while reconstructing the frontline.
The quadruple treble winners had a dreadful campaign overall as they lost their ‘ten in a row’ mission to bitter rivals Rangers. A premature European exit exposed their limitations all over the pitch and the arrival of the new Parkhead chief (potentially Eddie Howe) might not alter the scenario overnight unless a shrewd business strategy is followed in terms of strengthening the current set-up.
Howe himself earned successive promotions from the lower leagues before cementing Bournemouth’s Premier League status. His tutelage might help Wyke as well if a move takes place prior to the upcoming term.
