According to the latest reports from Daily Record, Tottenham have opened the door for Celtic to sign their former midfielder Victor Wanyama on loan. The English heavyweights have been trying to get permanent offers for the Kenyan midfielder, but it hasn’t been coming. Now they are willing to send the 28-year-old on loan.
The midfielder came close to securing a £13m move to Club Brugge, but the deal faltered. Both sides reportedly say that the agreement is unlikely to go through. Celtic meanwhile are only interested in a loan deal for the midfielder. It is reported that Celtic will find it hard even to cover half of Wanyama’s wages and Tottenham will have to take a big hit for the move to go through.
Does Celtic need someone like Wanyama?
The Hoops have got an ageing Scott Brown who is in the final years of his career. As the season goes by, Lennon would probably want to rotate his captain to keep him fresh. Olivier Ntcham can probably fill in for Brown, but he is more attacking in nature. Truth be told, the club lacks an anchorman in the middle.
Nir Bitton and Eboue Kouassi are an option, but the latter has turned out to be injury-prone. And Bitton might be used more as a centre back this season. Wanyama will definitely be a welcome signing for Lennon who has worked with the midfielder before.
What will the midfielder bring to the table?
Wanyama’s physical strength and ability to disrupt play in the middle will make him the best defensive midfielder in the division if he decides to move to Parkhead. The Spurs man was a backup choice for Pochettino for most parts of the last season, and he appeared in 22 games in all competitions. Nevertheless, he played some crucial and big games for Spurs including starting in both the legs against Manchester City and Ajax in the Champions League last season.
The 28-year-old is calm and comfortable with the ball at his feet and given his physical prowess; he can go on some marauding runs as well. Moreover, the former Celtic man is now an experienced candidate who has played at some of the biggest occasions so that will also be a big plus for Lennon.
A midfielder like Wanyama can be a difference-maker in the Europa League, and Lennon should try everything in his means to get him. However, it all depends on what Tottenham wants to do with the player.
