LONDON, England, June 15- Champion League winners Chelsea are at the head of the queue to sign Victor Wanyama after his agent confirmed the Harambee Stars midfielder is poised to quit Celtic this summer.
According to Daily Express website, new boss Roberto Di Matteo sees the midfield powerhouse, 20, as the ideal long-term replacement for injury-prone Michael Essien.
Mugubi is set to play for Stars on Sunday against Togo where Kenya are seeking to seal their passage to the final knock-out round of the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers where Stars hold a 2-1 advantage from the first leg in February.
Wanyama’s agent Rob Moore confirmed to Express Mugubi wants to play in England’s top flight sooner rather than later.
That has also alerted Liverpool, Queens Park Rangers, Newcastle, West Ham and Stoke City.
Wanyama, bought from Belgian outfit Beerschot for £900,000 a year ago, has seen his value rocket after a successful debut season with the new SPL champions.
Di Matteo, who has just penned a two-year deal with Chelsea after winning the Champions League and FA Cup as caretaker boss, has been informed of Wanyama’s desire to play in the Premier League.
“Victor has made the club aware that if they receive an offer from one of the big leagues he would like them to consider it,” Moore is quoted saying.
“He knows he will have to find a replacement for 29-year-old Essien, whose season was decimated through injury.”
Italian clubs are also aware of Wanyama’s apparent restlessness but it is believed the player sees his future down south.
