Celtic lead race for Arsenal wonder kid Stokes

Arsenal wonder kid striker Anthony Stokes is in Glasgow for signing talks with Celtic, BBC Scotland understands.

Celtic would make a £1m signing downpayment for Stokes 18-year-old in a deal that would increase substantially depending on his number of appearances.

Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has said he is willing to let Stokes leave, despite his successful loan with Falkirk. "In the end, it will be Stokes who makes the choice," said Wenger.

Charlton Athletic and Roy Keane with Sunderland were thought to have agreed a fee with the London club for the young Irishman.

Anthony Stokes spent the first half of the season at Falkirk, scoring 16 goals, but his loan spell ended at Christmas before returning to the Gunners in the January transfer window. Charlton were reported to have won the race to sign him, but Wenger added: "Nothing is decided with Charlton because there are some other clubs in for him, whether it is a permanent deal or a loan has not been decided either. It could just be a loan because he has done very well. it was a difficult decision, but we have a congestion of strikers. We have Arturo Lupoli, Niclas Bendtner, we have Jeremie Aliadiere, we have Julio Baptista, Robin van Persie, Emmanuel Adebayor and Thierry Henry. At some stage, it is unfair to stop somebody because there is too much congestion in front of him."

Irish Forums Message Discussion :: Celtic lead race for Arsenal wonder kid Stokes

Celtic lead race for Arsenal wonder kid Stokes