Wolves, Burnley & Celtic in battle for £2.5m-rated English winger | OneFootball

Wolves and Burnley are eyeing a move of £2.5 million move for a former Watford ace, with Celtic also interested in the forward...

Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley were recently relegated to the Championship and the duo are eyeing a move for a former Watford star, with Scottish giants Celtic also interested.

Rebuilding in the Championship is rarely straightforward, even for clubs coming down from the Premier League with parachute payments like Burnley and Wolves. They both endured miserable top-flight campaigns, with relegation confirmed after seasons that never really gathered momentum.

West Ham United at least fought until the closing stages and gave themselves a genuine chance of survival, which could mean they are starting from the strongest position for 2026/27 as well. However, those two dropped with something of a whimper.

It's possible that it could leave deep scars heading into the Championship, where confidence is fragile, key players often depart, and expectations remain sky-high. A squad that has spent months losing football matches does not suddenly become promotion-ready overnight, meaning smart recruitment is required.

Celtic join Burnley and Wolves in transfer race for Adrian Blake

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Many of their targets are likely to overlap, with Wolves and Burnley both needing quality to best place them to bounce back up at the first time of asking. Of course, it's not just about recruitment and nor is it only about signings that immediately hit the ground running, either.

Other factors like strong leadership and a clear identity are also essential to successfully reset and challenge for an immediate return. But there is also an element of building for the future and ensuring young players are brought in to be developed over time.

A former Watford youngster, with just three appearances for the first-team at Vicarage Road, is now in the final year of his contract with Dutch side FC Utrecht. Adrian Blake is the 20-year-old forward to have made the move across but he could now be set for a return to England.

He has scored nine and assisted five in 63 games for the club, but Sky Sports are reporting interest from Celtic, Wolves, and Burnley in the summer transfer window. The trio are all keen on the Englishman after three years in the Netherlands.

He is lined up for a return to British football but it is described as being "at least three clubs chasing his signature" this summer. With his contract running down, Utrecht value him at around £2.5 million.

Blake scored a stunning goal in the Europa League against Celtic in January during a time when Utrecht rejected an offer for Blake from Turkish side Kasimpasa. At the time, he was being watched by several clubs in Europe, including in the Premier League and Championship.

It's essential Wolves and Burnley sign quality while they also future-proof

While immediate promotion has to remain the priority, Championship clubs cannot afford to neglect the future. Building a pipeline of young, homegrown talent is essential, both from a sporting and financial perspective.

Even if experienced signings are needed to deliver instant success, clubs also need players who can develop into first-team regulars or valuable assets in the transfer market. Future-proofing is required but that balance is what sustains long-term success.

Blake is a prime example of the type of opportunity worth pursuing. With just a year remaining on his contract, a reported £2.5 million fee could represent excellent value for one of England's brightest young attacking prospects.

If he fulfils his potential, Burnley and Wolves would not only strengthen their squad but also acquire a player whose value could increase significantly, making him a smart investment regardless of whether promotion is achieved this season. His output doesn't jump off the page but he is still incredibly young.