Arsenal ready to make bid for Celtic's Victor Wanyama
Victor Wanyama
comments
Arsene Wenger is considering lodging an offer with Celtic for Victor Wanyama as he prepares to add two more signings to his squad ahead of the coming season.
Arsenal's manager had the young Kenya international watched for the third time in eight days as the Scottish champions met Inter Milan yesterday as part of the Scottish champions 125th anniversary celebrations.
Wanyama, who requested the No 67 shirt in honour of the Lisbon Lions when he joined Celtic last summer, has been assessed by senior scouts Steve Rowley, Pat Rice and Francis Cagigao in rapid succession.
An intelligent passer of the ball with good positional sense who thrived in European competition last season, the powerful African is seen as a potential midfield enforcer who could also provide central defensive cover.
The 21 year old is also considered a more economical and manageable alternative to Yann M'Vila, the France midfielder whose off-field behaviour is viewed with concern within Arsenal's scouting section.
A €1 million (Dh4.6m) acquisition from Germinal Beerschot, Wanyama is understood to be valued at £10m (Dh57m) by Celtic, who rebuffed an inquiry from Queens Park Rangers at the beginning of the current transfer window.
Celtic's recruitment model, though, is to sign young foreign talent overseas then use European football as a shop window to sell at a profit and Wanyama has already indicated his desire to progress to a higher level.
"I'm proud that I'm the first Kenyan player to play in the UK and I'd be very happy also to be the first Kenyan to play in the Premier League," Wanyama told The National earlier this summer. "I think the Premiership is the dream of so many players, so I'd be happy to play there. There are a lot of good clubs in England.
"I've been happy here, and the fans have been brilliant with me. But it would not be a terrible thing for me if the club agree to let me go, and they get a good offer."
City rivals Rangers' expulsion to the Scottish Third Division has increased concerns that his development might be stalled by a second season in the Scottish Premier League.
Manchester United have also scouted Wanyama in pre-season, though their interest is not as advanced as Arsenal.
Wenger is hopeful of completing the disposal of at least one of the players deemed surplus to requirements in the coming week, opening up Premier League squad registrations and salary for new recruits.
 | |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
Add comment and join the best football forum online!
Poll
Is Victor Wanyama good enough for Arsenal?
Yes
75%No
25%In a few years
0%
Rate Victor Wanyama
28 ratings
Involved in this discussion
19
17
5
2
1
Latest Discussions
Latest Polls
@Italian_celt67 Right thats sorted
posted 9 months ago / added by Niall34 (semi-pro) / reply
@Niall34 appreciated
@Italian_celt67 Ok then im sorry then bud
posted 9 months ago / added by Niall34 (semi-pro) / reply
@Niall34 it's called predictive text and average English
Are go thought you missed something
posted 9 months ago / added by Niall34 (semi-pro) / reply
@Italian_celt67 When you I back are you a poet are something Buddy
posted 9 months ago / added by Niall34 (semi-pro) / reply
Go*
@Niall34 very good you should tell that when you I back to primary school
@Italian_celt67 Ok buddy
posted 9 months ago / added by Niall34 (semi-pro) / reply
@Niall34 don't call me buddy your 10 or something and you will be soon in sure
@Italian_celt67 No not yet Buddy
posted 9 months ago / added by Niall34 (semi-pro) / reply
@Niall34 you not banned yet?
@Italian_celt67 Really that is very intresting isnt it
posted 9 months ago / added by Niall34 (semi-pro) / reply
@TheDannyGordon It is Martin O'Neil
posted 9 months ago / added by Niall34 (semi-pro) / reply
Don't think he will leave, Lenny wants too keep him where he is for the champions league.
posted 9 months ago / added by Tee-ONeill (newbie) / reply
both of you are acting like children give it a rest
posted 10 months ago / added by removed_user (elite) / reply
@TheDannyGordon I'm not arguing but everytime I leave a comment somewhere Niall34 always has something to say
are you too really arguing over what team a person supports? grow up the pair of you
posted 10 months ago / added by removed_user (elite) / reply
@Niall34 eh everyone knows :s he's said he's a Celtic fan haha
@Italian_celt67 Maybe who knows exept Mon
posted 10 months ago / added by Niall34 (semi-pro) / reply