OPINION
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers must go back to the drawing board after missing out on the chance to sign Arsenal goalkeeper Arthur Okonwko this summer.
The Daily Record reported in their live transfer blog on Sunday [01:18pm] that Okonwko, 16, has agreed a new deal with the Gunners, landing a major blow to the Hoops and RB Leipzig, who were interested in signing the teenage shot-stopper.
The Mirror claimed in April that Celtic were in hot pursuit of the 6ft 5in colossus amid a contract stand-off between him and the North London giants.
It was understood that there was no agreement between Okonkwo and Arsenal after being offered a scholarship deal at the Emirates.
However now it seems that the issues have been ironed out and the Record states that he is due to remain an Arsenal player for the “foreseeable future”.
It’s great news for Arsenal, but a blow for Celtic as it means that the Scottish treble winners will have to look elsewhere for a new goalkeeper target.
The Hoops have already completed the signing of Scott Bain on a free transfer from Dundee while Craig Gordon does seem as though he will still be the number one for next season.
Conor Hazard is a young aspiring shot-stopper at Celtic Park, but Rodgers obviously has plans to find another goalkeeping gem to pad out his options between the sticks for years to come.
Okonkwo would definitely have fit the bill, and it’s a real shame that the Bhoys will not be able to sign him up this summer.