'Consider offers' - Birmingham City and Wolves enter transfer battle for £6m-rated Celtic target
The latest transfer news involving Birmingham City, Wolves and Celtic as a selling club welcomes offers.
Birmingham City and Wolverhampton Wanderers could be about to commence battle as the two West Midlands rivals reportedly share a January transfer target.
Blues and the Old Gold are in the market for a new winger this month and similar players are being looked at. Despite Wolves being in the division above, relegation from the Premier League is looking inevitable and they are having to plan ahead for the future.
Birmingham, meanwhile, may be off the pace in the Championship play-off fight this season but they will definitely be targeting the top positions next season. As a result, there could be plenty of crossover between Blues and Wolves in the market.
Birmingham and Wolves shortlist £6m winger
If the latest speculation is to be believed, said crossover has already begun as Birmingham and Wolves have reportedly shortlisted Basel winger Philip Otele. GiveMeSport reporter Ben Jacobs claims Blues ‘remain interested’ in Otele, while Wolves have the 26-year-old as ‘one of several names on their list’.
Basel are said have alerted potential suitors, reducing their asking price for Otele down to around €7 million (£6m). It won’t be easy for Blues or Wolves to complete a deal, however, as Celtic, AFC Bournemouth and Lazio are named as three other clubs expected to lodge official enquiries.
Otele, who was close to joining Fulham last summer, has scored four goals and provided three assists in 19 Swiss Super League appearances so far this season. The Nigerian has also impressed on the continental stage, netting twice in six UEFA Europa League matches.
Jacobs’ report suggests Otele will leave during this transfer window no matter what, so any transfer battles brewing could intensify in the coming days and weeks. Blues and the Old Gold may need to get a wiggle on as a result.
Who is Philip Otele?
Birmingham, Wolves and Celtic target Otele has certainly been around the block in his career so far. Heading into his prime years, the speedy attacker has already turned out for clubs in Lithuania, Romania, Abu Dhabi and now Switzerland.
Predominantly a left winger but also capable of playing on the right or through the middle as a centre-forward, Otele actually began his career in England. The 6ft 1in forward broke through at Teesside University of all places and spent two years at Wearside-based non-league outfit Wolviston FC before leaving for Lithuanian side Kauno Zalgiris.
Otele’s best attributes are his acceleration, sprint speed and agility, making him a handful for defenders. He’s also very comfortable with both feet, meaning he can play on either flank and adjust to various roles quickly.
If Blues or Wolves were to sign Otele, it’d be a gamble as £6 million is by no means a cheap fee. But the winger could be well worth the money. It just depends whether he can replicate what he has been doing across Europe in England.