Former Ipswich Town midfielder Kundai Benyu is close to signing for Celtic, according to Sky Sports.
The Town midfielder’s contract ran out this summer and after an extension could not be agreed. Sky Sports reported that there was interest from Premier League clubs for the 19-year-old midfielder with Tottenham, West Ham and Aston Villa poised to make an offer, however Scottish champions Celtic have joined the race to sign the young talent.
Should the Scottish side sign Benyu, the Tractor Boys will be due compensation due the midfielder being under 24 years old.
Benyu spent the vast majority of last season on-loan at Vanarama National League side Aldershot, where the midfielder found the net on five occasions during his 21 appearances as they reached the National League play-offs.
The versatile midfielder can play as either a playmaker or a box-to-box midfielder and was initially punished following a falling out with Ipswich boss Mick McCarthy over his attitude, but the relationship was patched in hope of the midfielder signing a long-term deal at Portman Road. However an extension has not been agreed and a tribunal will set the compensation fee that any potential buyers will need to pay for the midfielder.
Tottenham invited the midfielder to be a part of the Premier League club’s NextGen Series Squad in Amsterdam last summer after admiring the Town midfielder for a long time.
Benyu is yet to make a first team appearance for Town, however he has established himself as a key player in the Blues’ under-21 and under-18 sides.
