Report: Celtic-linked Victor Wanyama set for Champions League blow with Spurs

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The Evening Standard has reported that Celtic-linked Victor Wanyama is likely to drop out of Jose Mourinho’s Champions League squad.

Wanyama has only played 12 minutes under Mourinho in a cameo appearance against Bayern Munich (Transfermarkt). However, it looks as though that will be his last European outing of the season.

The Standard has stated that Spurs need to make room for new signing Gedso Fernandes in their Champions League squad. In order to do that, they need to exclude one of their foreign players. They believe that Wanyama is likely to be the fall guy after being transfer-listed at the club.

Interestingly, the report also states that there’s been “scant interest” in the Kenyan. That’s despite the fact he’s played just under 100 games for Spurs and over 150 matches in the Premier League (Transfermarkt).

Neil Lennon effectively booted away the idea of Celtic bringing Wanyama back at the weekend (The Herald). With Ismaila Soro reportedly having a medical today (Scottish Sun), Lennon has questioned what gap it would be that Wanyama fills.

Are Spurs asking for too much?

Affordability is the main issue when it comes to Wanyama. If Spurs have transfer-listed a player like that but are still struggling to attract interest, you have to wonder how much they want for him.

In addition to that, the Standard has also stated that Wanyama rejected a move to Club Brugge in the summer over money. Therefore, it’s clear that big Vic is after a big wage too. Considering the midfield options we have at our disposal should Soro arrive, it’s difficult to see us going for Victor.

And that would be a shame too. Many in our support have been hoping that January was the month we could’ve seen him brought back to Paradise. Considering Lenny confirmed an interest in him at the club’s AGM back in November (Daily Record), we were entitled to get excited.

Of course, Spurs’ apparent eagerness to get him off the wage-bill could see them lower their asking price. We would then have to hope that Wanyama being frozen out of Europe would encourage him to move on.

Celtic could offer the Kenyan so much if all parties were willing to thrash out a deal. However, if his valuation was to be lowered, goodness knows the level of interest that could attract.

So it looks as though, sadly, that we’re going to have to put a cross through Wanyama’s name for now. Hopefully, one day, a return to Celtic is possible for him.