Celtic denied move for Premier League forward as Tottenham ‘act quickly’ to secure transfer

Celtic have been snubbed of a transfer target as Tottenham Hotspur make their move late in the window

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Celtic look set to miss out on signing a transfer target from the Premier League this window as Tottenham Hotspur have swooped in and gained significant ground on the Hoops.

Martin O’Neill’s side had been credited with interest in West Ham youngster Elisha Sowunmi this week but the transfer saga has already taken a dramatic turn.

Football Insider reported on Thursday that Celtic were among the clubs ‘plotting’ a move for the 18-year-old, who has impressed in West Ham’s youth sides over recent seasons.

Sowunmi is a versatile forward who can play in any position across the front three. He finished last season as the Irons’ U18s top goal-scorer, with 16 goals and five assists tallied in all competitions. Naturally, he has been attracting interest from England, Scotland and clubs across Europe, but Spurs have beaten the lot.

Tottenham snub Celtic of Premier League transfer target

A newer Football Insider report claims that Celtic have already lost the race for Sowunmi as Tottenham have ‘agreed a deal’ for the rising forward star.

In the initial report, the Hoops were up against an ‘unnamed Premier League side’ in the battle for Sowunmi’s signature. It has now been revealed that the club was Spurs, who are currently 14th in the English top flight and looking to crack the top ten in the coming weeks.

Club Brugge had also tried to sign the West Ham starlet before he signed his first professional deal but he swiftly put pen to paper with the East London side. The Belgian club remained interested in Sowunmi and were in the race alongside Celtic and Spurs, but they have also been let down as he nears a move to Thomas Frank’s side.

Tottenham ‘reach agreement’ with West Ham’s Elisha Sowunmi

“Sources can now reveal that Tottenham were the side rivalling Celtic in their chase, and they have now reached an agreement to bring him to North London,” the Football Insider report claims.

“The 18-year-old has caught the eye of a number of clubs after impressing in West Ham’s academy sides in recent seasons, and Spurs have now acted quickly.”

Sowunmi is set to leave West Ham without making his senior debut for the team. He leaves the Irons in the relegation zone, with a hill still to climb before they can reach safety.