Celtic take first step towards signing nine-cap England international

Celtic have made an initial enquiry for West Ham striker Callum Wilson, talkSPORT understands.

Any move is expected to be contingent on Wilson becoming a free agent with talks to leave the Hammers ongoing.

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Wilson is understood to want to leave the London Stadium but Celtic want to understand Wilson’s appetite to play in Scotland and his wage expectations before progressing any interest.

The Glasgow outfit are exploring multiple attackers this winter, and have also enquired on Chelsea forward David Datro Fofana.

Fofana is currently on loan at Turkish side Fatih Karagumruk, where he has scored seven goals in 14 appearances.

Celtic’s striker options have been left depleted after an injury to Callum Osmand.

The summer signing has been out of action with a hamstring issue since November, missing the last 16 matches.

Fellow centre-forwards Kelechi Iheanacho, Shin Yamada and Johnny Kenny have only managed eight goals between them this term.

Following Wednesday’s win over Falkirk, Celtic find themselves six points behind leaders Hearts and level on points with Rangers.

Burnley and Leicester are also alert to Wilson’s situation while Saudi clubs Al Ettifaq and Al Shabab both looked at signing the ex-Newcastle striker before he moved to West Ham.

The 33-year-old moved to the London Stadium in August having been a free agent following his Magpies exit at the end of last season.

Wilson penned a one-year deal upon his arrival which will expire this summer.

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He has since made 17 Premier League appearances, scoring four goals.

The last of those came against former club Bournemouth back in November, though.

Wilson, who has two goals in nine appearances for the England national team, has since failed to score in his last eight league outings for the Hammers.

Meanwhile, he was left out of the matchday squad for the home defeat to Nottingham Forest on January 6.

The forward was once again absent for last weekend’s FA Cup third round victory over QPR.

It comes after Nuno Espirito Santo added two new strikers to his squad earlier in the transfer window.

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Taty Castellanos and Pablo have both joined the club for a combined £47million this month.

However, Niclas Fullkrug has departed for AC Milan on loan, whilst youngster Callum Marshall has moved to German club Bochum until the end of the campaign.