Celtic are reportedly keen on signing Arsenal teenager Chris Willock.
Arsenal’s Chris Willock and Manchester City’s Jacob Davenport in action
Celtic are reportedly plotting a move to sign Arsenal teenager Chris Willock this summer – and his manager Arsene Wenger is a big fan.
The Bhoys are set to lose winger Patrick Roberts at the end of the season, as the young winger will return to Manchester City upon the expiration of his 18-month loan deal in Glasgow.
Manager Brendan Rodgers has options out wide, but losing Roberts will reportedly trigger Celtic into making a move in the transfer market.
The Mirror report that Celtic have set their sights on landing Arsenal’s Chris Willock, most likely on loan rather than in a permanent move.
Willock, 19, has been with Arsenal since joining the club at the age of five, and he has long been tipped for a bright future with the Gunners, but he needs to play first-team football having played just 25 minutes of first-team action this season.
Celtic could offer him that, and whilst Bhoys fans may be looking for a bigger name to arrive, comments from Gunners boss Arsene Wenger show just how highly rated Willock is at the Emirates Stadium, and what a talent Celtic could be landing.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
Speaking in March 2016, Wenger told the club’s official website that he feels pacey winger Willock is ‘very gifted’ with ‘natural talent’, claiming it’s hard to find players who have what Willock has.
Wenger added that Willock is impressive in one-on-one situation with defenders, and he would have no fear about playing Willock in the first-team – though that hasn’t happened this season, which could lead to that move to Celtic.
“Chris is a very gifted player with natural strength and natural talent,” said Wenger. “He has what you do not find very easily. He can have a go at people, can get past people in one on ones. We forget sometimes that the basis of team sport is to first be strong one against one and Chris has that quality.”
“I believe that he has the needed character when he has his back to the wall to always respond in a very strong way. That’s a very important quality, to be able to play under pressure. If I had to play him then I would have no fear in doing so,” he added.
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