Celtic are keen to negotiate with West Brom in the summer as they aim to sign Oliver Burke on a permanent deal, according to the Birmingham Mail.
The newspaper claims that the Hoops are eager to sign Burke, 21, but were unable to negotiate an option to buy clause when they signed the Scotland international on loan from the Baggies in January.
Celtic might be frustrated in their efforts to sign Burke permanently though, as it is understood West Brom’s next manager would want to check him out in the summer when he returns to the Black Country, and could decide against selling him.
Good move for Celtic?
Sending Burke on loan to Celtic Park was definitely a beneficial deal for all parties involved.
The former Nottingham Forest attacker was stagnating at The Hawthorns, but by letting him go out on loan, he has rediscovered his form, improved his transfer value and help out the Bhoys in their bid to win a third domestic treble in a row.
Celtic would definitely be wise to try and sign Burke on a permanent deal, but it could cost them a lot of money.
Spotrac reports that the Scot is earning £30,000-a-week on his deal at West Brom, and they paid £15million to sign him from RB Leizig in 2017.
Burke is not worth more than £10million, and if negotiations go higher than that sum, the Hoops should back out because they can sign better players elsewhere.
This is Futbol rating 7/10
Likely to happen?
The Birmingham Mail’s report has poured cold water on Celtic’s hopes of signing Burke, but if West Brom’s next manager does not fancy the attacker then there’s definitely the chance of him joining the Scottish giants permanently.
Burke may also want to quit the Baggies permanently.
It might not be helpful for Celtic that West Brom sacked Darren Moore, but it’s not a killer blow in their hunt to sign the player.
This is Futbol rating 5/10