Sources: Celtic facing major January blow as Bundesliga club line up midfielder offer
Celtic are facing a major blow in their January pursuit of Tottenham midfielder Victor Wanyama as Hertha Berlin move into pole position to seal a deal, Football Insider understands.
Neil Lennon made a loan move for the 28-year-old former Hoops star in the summer and has spoken publicly of his eagerness to try again when the market reopens next month.
But a Celtic source has told Football Insider the club expect to be beaten to the punch by a team who can offer to meet Wanyama’s wage demands.
Bundesliga outfit Hertha Berlin are lining up an offer to permanently sign the Kenya international, who has made just four appearances for Tottenham this season.
The Kenya international earns around £65,000-a-week in north London, and Hertha are willing to hand him a long-term deal.
By contrast, Celtic are unwilling to break their wage structure for Wanyama and could only offer a loan for the second half of the season.
Football Insider revealed last week that Tottenham have placed the central midfielder in the ‘shop window’ and are ready to sell him in January if their £10million asking price is met.
He is regarded as the most likely to go of the senior players in January after failing to reach his former heights following knee problems.
The 28-year-old failed to make the matchday squad for a Premier League match for the 10th consecutive time as Spurs secured a 2-1 win at Wolves on Sunday.
Celtic are in the market for a central midfielder in January who can provide competition and cover for first-choice pair Callum McGregor and Scott Brown.
In other Celtic news, it can be REVEALED that Brendan Rodgers is ready to blow his former club out of the water to sign 6ft 4in colossus in January.