Celtic tried to bring the youngster to the Scottish Premiership in January, but their £1m bid was turned down, according to reports.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers
A report in the Daily Mail has claimed that Premier League pair Arsenal and Chelsea have joined Celtic in the race to sign Henry Onyekuru this summer.
The Mail reports that Brendan Rodgers wanted to bring the 19-year-old to Parkhead during the January transfer window but the Hoops’ £1 million bid was rejected by his current side Eupen.
And it appears that they may be about to pay for not offering more as they will now have to see off competition from the Gunners and the Premier League leaders, as well as the likes of Sevilla and Borussia Dortmund, if they hope to land his signature, the Mail reports.
The Mail adds that Onyekuru – who went AWOL to try and force through a deal with Celtic – has been told that he can leave the Belgian side this summer, but it will take a bid of £6 million to make a move happen.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger
If the teenager continues to develop and is able to adapt to the demands of whatever league he ends up in, then based on the form he has shown this year, Eupen’s asking price may ultimately prove to be an absolute bargain.
The Nigerian is the side’s top goalscorer this term with 12 goals to his name in the top flight, as well as four assists. And while £6 million will seem a significant amount of money for Celtic to pay for a youngster – of course, a bidding war may drive the price up further – Rodgers may feel that it is investment worth making given that one of the last teenagers he took a chance on, Moussa Dembele, is now being discussed as a potential £30 million player (via Guardian).
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
