Celta make Kanu claim
Spanish outfit Celta Vigo have claimed that they have been offered the chance to sign Arsenal star Nwankwo Kanu.
Celta are currently languishing in 18th spot in La Liga and are desperate to strengthen their squad as they bid to lift themselves out of the relegation zone.
The Galicians are short of attacking options; Savo Milosevic is their only recognised fit front-man, with last season's top-scorer Catanha ruled out for the foreseeable future with a groin problem.
Milosevic is the team's leading marksman with seven goals in all competitions, but Celta are keen to inject some fresh blood and Kanu is reported to be one of their possible targets.
The club's director of sport Felix Carnero confirmed to skysports.com that the Nigerian international had been offered to them, but insisted no decision had yet been taken on whether to move for the 27-year-old.
"We were offered Kanu and it is not the first time," stated Carnero.
"He is a player who we like quite a lot, as much for his quality as for his experience, but we still haven't decided anything.
"There are many things to study in his case."
Carnero was referring to the player's imminent departure for the forthcoming African Cup of Nations tournament, and it seems unlikely they would move for him during the January transfer window with an enforced month-long absence just around the corner.
What's more, Arsenal seem unlikely to allow him to depart Highbury at this time with boss Arsene Wenger having stated he is keen to retain the player's services with injury problems currently affecting his front players.
Celta do have good relations with Arsenal following the transfer of Brazilian full back Silvinho to the Balaidos in August 2001, but Carnero conceded Kanu - also linked with Real Zaragoza in the Spanish press - is just one of a number of strikers they are considering.
"There are more names in the hat than we can contemplate," he continued.
For his part, under-fire Celta boss Miguel Angel Lotina refused to comment on the speculation, and insisted the injury problems affecting a number of his more influential players were behind the club's woeful league form.
"Injuries are affecting us spectacularly and that is preventing any consistency in our game," he added.
Meanwhile, reports in France claim that Japanese outfit JEF United are also monitoring Kanu's situation, and are pondering a lucrative move for the striker should he fail to agree a new deal at Highbury before his current contract expires in the summer.
