Celtic need to sign a new number nine before the January transfer window closes, with the club lacking a reliable central striker throughout the season.
Due to Kelechi Iheanacho’s ongoing injury problems, Johnny Kenny has led the line for much of the campaign, but his output has fallen short.
The Ireland international has significantly underperformed his expected goals (xG) in the Scottish Premiership, highlighting his struggles in front of goal and Celtic’s need for a more dependable finisher.
The Hoops are understood to be exploring attacking reinforcements for Martin O’Neill before the window shuts. A loan move has reportedly been lodged for Lorient striker Mohamed Bamba, who has managed just one league goal this season.
Celtic pushing hard for Premier League striker
However, Bamba is not the only forward on Celtic’s radar. According to Claret & Hugh, the Scottish champions have joined the race to sign West Ham United striker Callum Wilson this January.
The report claims Celtic are pushing hard to secure the former England international, though Championship side Leicester City are also monitoring the situation and are currently viewed as favourites should Wilson become available.
West Ham are said to be assessing their attacking options following the arrivals of Taty Castellanos — who scored against QPR in the FA Cup — and Pablo, before making a final decision on Wilson’s short-term future.
Why Wilson would be a smarter signing than Bamba
Rather than opting for Bamba on loan, Celtic would arguably be better served pursuing Wilson on a short-term deal until the end of the season. Bamba has scored just one Ligue 1 goal this campaign and netted three times in Ligue 2 last season. While he did score 14 goals across the Austrian Bundesliga and Ligue 1 during the 2023/24 season, his overall record remains inconsistent.
Wilson, by contrast, has proven himself at the highest level. He has scored four Premier League goals from 3.87 xG in eight starts for West Ham this season, matching Bamba’s combined goal tally across France’s top two tiers over the last 18 months.
At Newcastle United, Wilson showcased his elite finishing ability, scoring an outstanding 18 Premier League goals during the 2022/23 campaign. Bamba, meanwhile, has never surpassed 14 goals in all competitions in a single season, underlining the gap in experience and quality between the two forwards.
Reporter Chris Waugh once described Wilson as “clinical”, and the data supports that claim. Since FBref began recording xG data in 2017/18, Wilson has scored 81 Premier League goals from 79.7 xG — a consistent overperformance that highlights his efficiency in front of goal.
For a Celtic side chasing immediate success, Wilson represents a low-risk, high-upside option who could provide the ruthless edge they have lacked this season.
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