Charlie Nicholas tells Celtic to make shock bid for Arsenal’s Eddie Nketiah

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Celtic may need to find a new striker this summer, and Charlie Nicholas is now urging a move for Arsenal striker Eddie Nketiah.

What’s the story?

Nicholas has been speaking to The Scottish Daily Express (29/06, p57) about Celtic’s transfer plans, and recommended a move for Arsenal’s Nketiah.

Nicholas believes that Celtic need a new striker even if Leigh Griffiths stays and Albian Ajeti gets another year, whilst Odsonne Edouard could yet move on.

The former Celtic man thinks Nketiah is ideal because he is ‘quick and exciting’, suggesting that the Bhoys should send a cash or loan bid to Arsenal.

“I still think they need another striker, even if they re-sign Leigh Griffiths and continue with Albian Ajeti, I believe they still need another one, especially if Odsonne Edouard goes,” said Nicholas.

“I would try and get Eddie Nketiah from my old club Arsenal. He has been linked with West Ham United and teams in the Bundesliga and he is a really quick and exciting talent. He had a spell on loan at Leeds cut short because of injury but he is back fit and he is one I would look at either on a loan or a permanent contract, if that could be done,” he added.

Would Arsenal let Nketiah go to Celtic?

Arsenal rate Nketiah highly, but he has just one year left on his deal and has rejected a new contract according to The Athletic.

Arsenal wouldn’t loan Nketiah out inside the final year of his deal, but a permanent deal could be beyond Celtic given that the Gunners allegedly want £20million for Nketiah – more than double Celtic’s record.

Add in that Nketiah earns £45,000-a-week, and a permanent deal seems tough for Celtic. They would really need Nketiah to sign a new deal and then join on loan.

What’s been said about Nketiah?

The 22-year-old has only hit five goals in 38 Premier League games for Arsenal, but he has remained a highly regarded talent.

Mikel Arteta branded Nketiah ‘extraordinary’ last summer, adding that he has an ‘immense personality’ and had a bright future ahead of him.

Michael Owen has raved about Nketiah’s ‘hunger’ for goals, and whilst it may not happen for him at Arsenal, it’s easy to imagine him scoring goals for Celtic if they could possibly make a deal materialise.