Southampton are fighting Celtic for free-scoring Belgian teenager Henry Onyekuru who dreams of Premier League transfer
SOUTHAMPTON want to swoop in and beat Scottish champions Celtic to the signing of exciting teenager Henry Onyekuru.
The 19-year-old Nigerian is currently impressing at Belgian side Eupen, the feeder club of the Qatar-owned Aspire foundation that also bankrolls Paris St-Germain.
Henry Onyekuru is one of the top talents in the Belgian top flightGetty Images
Onyekuru scored 12 goals in 28 top-flight games this season and four more in the Europa League play-offs and the Daily Record says he’s sparked a transfer war.
The versatile playmaker has revealed he is off in the summer and that he is targeting the Premier League at some stage of his career.
Celtic made their first offer in January but no deal could be done with the Belgian club, who no longer need to flog their top talent thanks to their new backers.
Eupen want at least £7million for their starlet and that figure could rise if he is named Belgium’s Player of the Year at the end of the season.
A handful of Premier League sides have their scouts keeping an eye on the teen but it’s Saints who are head of the queue south of the border and look close to landing the attacker.
Onyekuru said: “After the play-off, I will announce my decision.
“I have made my decision to leave. I have already agreed with Eupen that I am joining my new club after this season.
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"I want to take the next step and play abroad. My ultimate aim is to one day play in the Premier League.
"There have been many enquiries for me. From clubs in Scotland, England and Germany. I am negotiations right now with clubs.
"I believe I have had my best season, but I want to leave Eupen on a high and I would love to get as far up the table as possible before I leave.
"But it's really been my first season in a major league and I know I still have a lot to learn."
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