Brendan Rodgers confirms Celtic interest in Everton’s Henry Onyekuru last summer

Follow us on Google Discover

Celtic are set to take on Anderlecht in the Champions League in midweek, and could see Henry Onyekuru’s talents first-hand.

Brendan Rodgers has admitted to the Scotsman that Celtic were priced out of the race to sign Henry Onyekuru in the summer transfer window.

Celtic’s scouts alerted Rodgers to Onyekuru’s potential, after the youngster netted 24 goals last season.

However, the 20-year-old ended up signing for Everton in a deal worth £7 million, according to the Scotsman.

And Rodgers admits that Celtic were never going to be able to bring the Nigerian-born forward to Parkhead, when the figures needed to sign him were so large.

“We were never really close to signing him,” Rodgers said.

“Onyekuru was a player who came to our attention and we watched him. But at the time the money was going to be too much, really. We’d seen him play. In Belgium you’re always trying to gauge it because the league splits and a lot of his goals were scored in the lower half of that.

“I liked him and when I saw him as a 19 year old his numbers were high for a winger in respect of the league he was playing in. He’s very dynamic, very quick. But we never made a bid, he was just a player who came into our thinking because of his goals. But he was one clearly looking to go elsewhere.”

Rodgers may be able to see first-hand what Celtic missed out on midweek, as the Bhoys are set to take on Anderlecht on Wednesday.

Everton have loaned Onyekuru back to Anderlecht for the season, which means he may be available to play in the Champions League tie.

Onyekuru has struck three goals in seven league goals in Belgium so far this term.

Celtic go into the game knowing that beating Anderlecht would provide a major boost to their chances of progressing in Europe.