Kyle Joseph to Celtic latest: Wigan reportedly want seven figures for wonderkid

By Euan Davidson

January 13, 2021

Celtic, Tottenham Hotspur and others will have shell out at least £1m to land Wigan starlet Kyle Joseph.

According to The Athletic’s Matt Slater, Wigan are desperate not to get rid of the goalscorer for less than his true value.

Joseph has come on leaps and bounds in recent weeks. A hat-trick at Burton Albion was the highlight of his burgeoning career (BBC).

While Celtic were not named in Slater’s update, the Daily Mirror reported the Bhoys’ interest yesterday. Born in London but a star for the Scotland Under-19s, Joseph is a recognised young talent, UK-wide.

The Latics are in serious financial trouble. The Guardian reported in July of 2020 that a bizarre set of circumstances led to the club entering administration just four weeks after a takeover.

Wigan will be keen not to repeat the sale of promising youngster Joe Gelhardt. Leeds managed a bargain deal for the young striker, with the Yorkshire side also said to be battling Celtic and Rangers for another Wigan youngster, Sean McGurk.

Rangers, Tottenham and Sheffield United are said to be keen on the 19-year-old, although the Daily Record have stated that Steven Gerrard is “not interested” in the striker.

With Ajeti and Klimala disappointing so far this season, it’s no surprise Celtic are in the hunt for attacking options. We certainly could use a striker this week, with Coronavirus self-isolating measures ruling out 13 players.

Celtic target Kyle Joseph / (Photo by Ian Horrocks/Getty Images)

Do Celtic have a chance with Kyle Joseph?

Given Joseph’s ascent over recent months, the Bhoys’ interest is understandable. The Celtic academy is stacked with wide options and technical midfielders, like Armstrong Oko-Flex, Luca Connell and Karamoko Dembélé.

However, there aren’t too many strikers coming through.

Joseph will have earned positive reviews from his colleagues at Scotland’s youth levels last year. However, it’s his first-team performances which have launched the Joseph rumour mill into overdrive.

The link between Celtic and Kyle Joseph began in earnest last July.

Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester were also reportedly interested at the time. Premier League strugglers Sheffield United are long-term admirers of the striker.

Standing at 6’1″, Joseph offers a different physicality to the Bhoys’ other youthful attacking options. Jonathan Afolabi stands at 5’7″, while Owen Moffat is also below 6′.

Wigan, however, realise the value of their asset. If a bidding war commences, Premier League clubs will have the advantage over Celtic. With Tottenham and Sheffield United reportedly very keen, Celtic will have to act fast to secure the young striker.