Celtic manager Ronny Deila says there is nothing close in terms of a move for Leke James.
Celtic manager Ronny Deila has told the Evening Times that Aalesund striker Leke James is a ‘good football player’ – but no deal is close for the Nigerian.
The Bhoys may have snapped up Nadir Ciftci over the summer, but having let Stefan Scepovic head back to Spain with Getafe, Deila still needs another forward.
Ex-West Ham striker Carlton Cole is currently on trial with the Bhoys in a bid to win a contract, but a younger option may be pursued during the January transfer window.
Former Stromsgodset boss Deila is regularly linked with players back in his native Norway, and Aalesund star Leke James is the latest name in the reckoning.
James, 22, has hit 34 goals in 86 games for Aalesund, and claimed to AfricanFootball.com last week that Celtic were monitoring his progress ahead of a possible January move.
Speaking over the weekend, Celtic boss Deila – who managed against Nigerian forward James during his time with Stromsgodset – told the Evening Times that whilst he is a fan of James, there has been no movement or push to sign the player.
“I watch everyone in Norway so he can say that,” said Deila. “I’ve seen his matches but also the others in Norway. He’s a good football player but we haven’t been close to doing something there,” he added.
James has size, strength and a decent turn of pace, giving Celtic an athletic threat that they don’t currently have in attack – and with Deila being familiar with the player already, a move to sign the Nigerian wouldn’t be a huge surprise.
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