Celtic are reportedly keen to open summer talks with West Brom regarding attacker Oliver Burke.
The former Leipzig and Nottingham Forest star has been a success in Glasgow. He has four goals to his name, but has wowed everyone with his pace and power during his short stay in Glasgow so far.
And, according to the Birmingham Mail, the Hoops are keen to take further action on him this summer.
Celtic apparently have no option to buy in the Burke loan deal, and the Scotland international is still on a lengthy contract at the Hawthorns.
The sacking of former manager Darren Moore remains an interesting side-saga. What could this potentially mean for Celtic’s pursuit of Burke? Does it help or not?
According to the Birmingham Mail, the move from West Brom hasn’t helped Celtic at all. A new manager would want to see what Burke has to offer, and given the club spent around £15million on him, you have to imagine any new manager would want to take a look.
Difficult to see how this gets done
The only way a deal for Burke is likely possible could be if Celtic snatched him up on another loan.
The Hoops have the finance to match the £15million, but who’s to say West Brom will settle for that? After all, why just accept what you initially paid for such a young talent with plenty of potential? They’ll have gotten no return from Burke at all if that was the case.
West Brom sit fourth, and look highly likely to cement a playoff place in the Championship. Should they go up, that could boost Celtic’s chances. After all, they would be looking for even better quality to compete in the Premiership. Burke’s chances wouldn’t be too great you have to imagine.
The managerial uncertainty at Celtic puts a question mark on all of this, however. Neil Lennon hasn’t been offered the job permanently, whilst Head of Recruitment Lee Congerton has been linked with moves away from Parkhead.
Any deal for Burke in the summer would be a surprising one. He remains too expensive when you look at Celtic’s history in the transfer market. The fact we’re apparently keen on opening summer talks, however, shows the club must believe something can be done.
But, unfortunately, it doesn’t look as though West Brom are budging either.
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