Celtic manager Neil Lennon has expressed his interest in Tottenham Hotspur‘s Victor Wanyama, though he ‘doubts’ whether his side could afford him.
After being told he would be surplus to requirements, the Kenyan looked set to leave North London in the summer. Club Brugge and former side Celtic were both heavily interested in acquiring the midfielder’s signature, however a move failed to materialise.
Neil Lennon Interested In Victor Wanyama, But ‘Doubts Celtic Can Afford Him’
A Potential Return To Glasgow
Lennon, who previously signed Wanyama for Celtic back in 2011, enjoyed a successful two-year spell working with the 28-year-old. It, therefore, comes as no surprise that the Irishman is expressing an interest in a player that he already knows and trusts.
The Celtic boss is however quick to admit that his side could be priced out of signing the midfielder due to his current wages. Should Celtic sign Wanyama, Lennon may have a selection headache, with the Celtic midfield already filled to the brim.
“He’s in my thoughts”, Lennon told The Scotland Herald. “But could we afford him? I doubt it very much.
“The problem with Victor is where do you fit him in with [Scott] Brown, [Nir] Bitton, [Callum] McGregor, [Olivier] Ntcham? I don’t think that’s going to be an option. I wouldn’t have thought so.”
Adding an Experienced Figurehead
Wanyama was a key presence in Tottenham’s midfield throughout 2016/17, where Spurs went undefeated at home for the entire season. The Kenyan’s suffocating partnership with Moussa Dembele gave him the freedom to demonstrate his excellent ball-winning capabilities. Despite featuring just twice in the league for Spurs this season, Wanyama’s 24 minutes of action shouldn’t dissuade Celtic from pursuing the midfielder.
When asked about adding more experience to his squad, Lennon added: “It [experience] could help. In the last game we looked like we lacked a little bit of nous and experience. A little bit of physicality. So they are areas which we’re looking to bring in.”
A move back to Parkhead could benefit all parties involved. Injuries have plagued Wanyama for the last two seasons, and a dip in form has left him struggling to make Tottenham’s match-day squad. However, it is imperative to recall the crucial role he played in Spurs’ memorable final season at White Hart Lane, as a sign of what an influential player he can still be.
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