GLASGOW, Scotland, July 10- Reports in Scotland on Wednesday indicate Harambee Stars captain and Celtic FC midfielder, Victor Wanyama is on the verge of complete a record-breaking deal to English Premiership side, Southampton worth £12.5m (Sh1.161b).
The Scotsman, The Scottish Daily Record and England’s Express broke the news in what would make Wanyama the most expensive Kenyan footballer in history and first to feature in the popular EPL.
“The influential Kenyan international did not play in his side’s 6 – 2 friendly loss to Greuther Furth and instead remained at the club’s German training base to hammer out personal terms with the Premiership side.
“Reports this morning suggest that the move could be completed today which, if completed, will be the largest transfer fee ever paid in Scottish football,” The Scotsman stated.
“Victor Wanyama is set to join Southampton over the next 48 hours in a £12.5million deal that smashes the Scottish transfer record.
“Record Sport can reveal negotiations between Celtic and Saints have accelerated and the SPL champions have accepted the jaw-dropping bid,” The Record added.
“Saints’ decision to offer him improved personal terms should see the Kenyan fly to England rather than head to Berlin with the Hoops,” The Express wrote about the same story.
Reports suggest money raised from the sale of Wanyama would be used to offer contracts to current squad members at Celtic with the possibility of a big name arrivals also not ruled out.
The Parkhead side had accepted a previous offer from the St Mary’s side however Wanyama’s wages and agent fee proved to be a stumbling block.
Wanyama, who joined Celtic from Belgian side Germinal Beerschot for less than £1m two years ago, has one year left on his contract.
The 22 year-old has attracted interest from other clubs south of the border with Cardiff submitting a £10m offer.
The Premiership side are reported to have offered personal terms to the Kenyan international which are in line with his expectations however their bid was rejected was Celtic.
Neil Lennon’s side face Cliftonville next week in a Champions League qualifier with the Parkhead manager expressing concern last night at his mounting injury list.
