Wanyama to announce next move this week after earning dual citizenship
Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama is believed to have acquired British citizenship and could be on his way back to Scottish giants Celtics after falling down in Jose Mourinho’s pecking order at Tottenham.
According to British newspaper Evening Standard website www.standard.co.uk, Wanyama was reluctant to leave the North London club last January as he sought British citizenship ‘but that situation has now been resolved.’
Wanyama’s small brother Harry Wanyama could not confirm nor deny, but said after staying in United Kingdom for at least five years he qualified for a citizenship.
“It’s a normal thing for a footballer to get British citizenship after playing or staying in the country for at least five years,” Harry told People Sport when asked if the star midfielder had obtained the new citizenship. Wanyama has stayed in United Kingdom for nine years since he joined Glasgow side Celtics in 2011.
On the issue of being close to rejoin Celtics, Harry said Wanyama’s options were open and noted that the decision to leave or stay at Spurs will be reached in two or three days.
“Victor’s agent Ivan Modia will announce wether he will be leaving Spurs or not and which club. He is to make the announcement in two or three days,” Harry asserted.
Wanyama who was not even on the bench during Spurs’ 2-3 loss to Wolves at the weekend has fallen in the midfielder’s pecking order behind Dele Alli, Eric Dier, Giovani Lo Celso, Harry Winks, Tanguy Ndombele, Gedson Fernandes and Moussa Sissoko.
Mourinho also left him out of the team’s provisional squad for European Champions League matches, meaning that the former Southampton player is no longer getting playing time at the club where he was once seen as a key player.
Permanent deal
Spurs had been holding out for a permanent deal during the January transfer window but despite interest from several clubs in England and other European leagues, none were prepared to meet their Sh 1.2 billion (£9million) asking price.
The Scottish Premiership leaders, who signed Wanyama in 2011 before selling him to Southampton two years later, have been keen on bolstering their midfield but harbour concerns over the 28-year-old’s long-term fitness.
The last time Wanyama played for Spurs was in their 7-2 Champions League loss to Bayern Munich where he featured for just 12 minutes.
He is yet to play under Jose Mourinho and still seeking to rediscover his best form following persistent knee problems which began in 2017.
It is understood that Spurs are expected to pay a significant chunk of Wanyama’s Sh 8 million (£62,000)-a-week wage although the finer details of a deal are yet to be finalised.
