Rumoured Celtic target Kyle Joseph offered new deal by Wigan

By Euan Davidson

May 27, 2021

Rumoured Celtic target Kyle Joseph is set to be offered a new deal by Wigan Athletic.

The League One outfit shared their retained list yesterday [WAFC], and featured prominently was Scottish youth striker Joseph. Rangers and Newcastle United have also been tentatively linked, but Celtic are supposedly the forward’s main suitors.

In April, it was reported that Celtic had entered talks with Wigan. Daily Mail journalist Simon Jones claimed that Celtic had been due to pay around £230,000 in cross-border compensation for the Scotland youth international. Since then, the word around the Wigan star has gone rather quiet.

With Celtic already aggressively recruiting in England, Liam Shaw and Joey Dawson have already been snapped up, although the club are yet to confirm the latter. Joseph, who has had a breakout season in League One. At just 19, and with limited minutes, his tally of 5 goals in 20 games is very decent [Transfermarkt].

Undoubtedly, the Scottish youth international has room to improve. But while he’s impressing scouts nationwide, Joseph’s signature would be an excellent addition to the Celtic squad. Partyk Klimala has already left, while Leigh Griffiths, Odsonne Edouard and even Albian Ajeti face uncertain futures.

Kyle Joseph holds off Marvin Ekpiteta of Blackpool / (Photo by Dave Howarth – CameraSport via Getty Images)

Celtic need strikers, and Kyle Joseph could fit the bill

While he’s nowhere near being an instant star for Celtic, his youthful energy and professional experience are exciting. However, his loyalty to Wigan is currently being tested, and he may see himself getting more opportunities by simply staying put.

Wigan boss Leam Richardson praised Joseph’s attitude earlier this season. Having suffered from a back injury, the Scotland youth international made an impressive comeback, helping Wigan avoid relegation. Richardson said [Wigan Today]:

“He epitomises this football club, and how well we want to be represented on and off the field.

“We’re still going to have to manage him, because we’re very aware he’s coming off the back of a tough injury.

“But he is a young, fit guy who looks after himself off the field, and he’s desperate to play his part in the run-in.”

That kind of attitude and professionalism is exactly what Celtic will want from a youth prospect. They’ll have to act fast, though, lest the Latics keep Joseph under wraps for years to come.

READ MORE: Scotland international picks excellent role model