Celtic strike target Henry Onyekuru has been told he is too good for a move to Scottish football.
Scotland’s champions Celtic are weighing up a fresh bid for the 19-year-old Nigerian after an opening offer in excess of £1million was turned down by Belgian outfit KAS Eupen.
The Parkhead club started freeing up space for new faces by sending midfielder Ryan Christie on loan to Aberdeen for the rest of the season.
However, Eupen chief executive Christoph Henkel insists Onyekuru won’t be one of them after vowing to keep him until the summer, when he believes Germany will be a better platform for his talents than the SPFL.
‘We are only eight games from the end of the regular phase of the championship and only five points ahead of last place,’ said Henkel. ‘We aren’t sure to stay in Division One. Therefore we can’t be separated from such an attacking player as Henry Onyekuru before summer.
‘We know Celtic are interested, but Red Bull Leipzig are as well. I don’t think the Scottish league is an option for Henry.
‘Scotland is 23rd on the UEFA ranking and Belgium ninth. Our competition is therefore more rewarding. Besides, I think the qualities of Henry Onyekuru don’t correspond to Scottish football. He would be more likely to flourish in the Bundesliga.’
