A former Celtic striker target looks to have found himself a new club after becoming available this summer. The Bhoys are regularly linked with older players from down South, for one reason or another, and Callum Wilson has been one of them.
Wilson has enjoyed a successful career in front of goal in the Premier League and Championship, and he was tipped to join Celtic in January after falling out of favour at West Ham.
In the end, Nuno Espirito Santo got the 34-year-old back in and the striker played a part in a strong end to the season. But the Hammers didn't quite do enough, and they wound up being relegated from the Premier League.
Wilson now set for new Premier League club
Wilson's contract with West Ham expired on June 30, and with the Hammers dropping down to the Championship, a new contract was always going to be unlikely.
Some pondered whether Celtic could go back in for Wilson, given he is available for free and the Bhoys have a big need for forwards this summer. Celtic have just one out-and-out striker on their books as things stand.
But Brentford are looking to lean on Wilson's experience, and Sky Sports report that the two parties are now in advanced talks over a contract.
Wilson will likely be a third-choice striker with the Bees, now 34 years of age and coming off a campaign when he only managed seven goals, but he can certainly play a part during a long season, and it's always good to have experienced voices in the dressing room.
You wonder whether Celtic reached out about the possibility of signing Wilson, who feels like a very Martin O'Neill type of player. But if he had interest from within the Premier League, Wilson was always more likely to choose that option.
Santo on Wilson treatment
Speaking in late April, West Ham boss Santo spoke about Wilson's lack of starts and how he deserved to play more.
“It’s very difficult, sometimes very unfair that we cannot [allow] every player to start the game,” he said.
“Many players deserve more minutes, deserve to play, deserve to start. But our priority is knowing that everybody is important, [everybody knows] the task in their hands.
“Callum is one of the players who, for sure, deserves more, and he’s giving back 1,000 times more. He’s giving goals that mean points for us, that are so crucial.
“We are delighted. Callum is an example of what the players should understand; not everybody can start but everybody can play a big part.”
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