According to the Mirror, Celtic are keen on Arsenal’s highly-rated goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo whose future at the Emirates is uncertain with his contract up in the summer. He reportedly wants to stay, but a contract dispute could see him exit instead.
The 16-year-old stopper, who also has interest from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig, could leave the Gunners on a free transfer in the coming months unless he agrees to a new deal. It would be a major blow as the Mirror say he’s been tipped to rise through the youth ranks to the first-team in the future.
Okonkwo has turned out for Arsenal’s u18s and England at u17 level and is regarded as one of the brightest young talents at the club. The London outfit appointed Huss Fahmy, formerly of Team Sky, to negotiate contracts and try to whittle down the wage bill.
It’s meant some players offered new deals might be in line for a salary cut, which could be the issue with Okonkwo. Celtic want to capitalise on the situation by providing him a solution, but there’s no real indication that he’s looking to join a new club so early in his career.
Hoops manager Brendan Rodgers is more in the market for a first-team goalkeeper who can replace Dorus de Vries this summer. On-loan stopper Scott Bain is yet to agree a permanent deal with Celtic so they may prefer someone older and more experienced than Okonkwo.