Celtic don’t currently have a manager in place but that hasn’t stopped their recruitment team from considering new signings.
The Hoops are in danger of losing fearsome striker Odsonne Edouard and thus, the first topic on their agenda is finding a replacement.
What’s the word?
Dominic McKay has had a busy start to life behind the scenes at Parkhead. Not only is he trying to find a new manager but he’s already addressing the playing squad.
One player that’s emerged on their radar is Young Boys forward Jean-Pierre Nsame. With 25 goals to his name this term, he certainly knows where the back of the net is.
However, the Bhoys are targeting an even more prolific forward, one that may not cost them a penny.
That’s because they’re considering a move for Sunderland forward Charlie Wyke. He has netted 30 times in 2020/21 and is out of contract in the summer so could be lured to Glasgow on a free transfer.
The news was revealed by Mark Wilson on the Celtic Huddle podcast (27/04/21). He said: “It is understood that Sunderland striker Charlie Wyke is on a list of potential summer signings.”
Celtic’s new Sutton?
When you think of former Celtic striker Chris Sutton, what do you think of?
The footballer turned pundit is an outspoken voice on the television but on the field of play, he was equally as brutal and ruthless.
A powerful and robust forward, he would frighten the life out of centre-backs with his immense strength and ability to out jump nearly every defender that dared to challenge him in the air.
[snack-amp-story url= "https://www.footballfancast.com/web-stories/read-the-latest-celtic-manager-and-transfer-news-howe-lampard-klimala-ajer-gossip" title= "Read the latest Celtic manager and transfer news!"]
In an article in the Independent by Ryan Baldi, he described Sutton’s greatest weapon; “Throughout spells with Norwich City, Chelsea, Celtic and a Premier League triumph with Blackburn Rovers, the 6ft 3ins centre-forward was renowned for the power and accuracy of his heading,” Baldi began.
“With a strong leap, well-developed neck muscles and precise timing, Sutton’s aerial abilities made him a constant threat in the opposition’s penalty area. And the remarkable range from which he could land powerful headers on target brought him solace in one of the most difficult periods of his career," the writer concluded.
Indeed, those are the type of qualities that Wyke could bring to Celtic if he was signed this summer.
A powerful and tall force, the Sunderland forward has netted 40 times in his Mackems career, 30 of which have come this term. 12 of them, meanwhile, have been scored with his head in League One this season.
After scoring a hat-trick against Wimbledon earlier this term, the Sunderland manager Lee Johnson said: “I’m delighted for Charlie (Wyke), like any striker he’s had to work his socks off, battered from pillar to post by the two centre-halves and he’s dealt with it, and he earned his opportunities, I thought he could have scored five.”
Sutton regularly found himself battered about by centre-halves, but very much like Wyke, he got the better of defenders with absolute ease.
“A top striker can slow down his mind's eye in the box, be like ice in the box, and Charlie certainly finished with that look,” Johnson added after a 2-0 win over Rochdale.
Wyke has really come into his own this season and if Celtic are looking for a different route to goal, he’d certainly provide them with that next season.