Five possible replacements for Celtic's departing midfielder Victor Wanyama

Victor Wanyama has left Celtic for Southampton, with the Scottish side making a significant profit.SNS Group

Victor Wanyama's departure from Celtic to Southampton represents an incredible bit of business for the Parkhead club, turning a £900,000 investment into a reported £12.5m sale.

As the Kenyan midfielder departs, Neil Lennon and his scouting team will no doubt have already identified possible replacements for the 22-year-old.

We've identified a number of potential signings who could both replace Wanyama and fit the club's transfer policy, speaking to experts around the world for their views on likely targets.

Bernard Malanda-Adje
SV Zulte-Waregem, 18 years old, 56 career club appearances, six Under-21 caps for Belgium

"Junior" Malanda burst onto the scene in 2012/13, having been plucked by Belgian runners-up SV Zulte-Waregem from Lille's second string.

A near ever-present last season, the 18-year-old is not dissimilar to Wanyama when he was performing in the Jupiler Pro League before heading for Celtic.

Great at breaking up play and redistributing the ball, Malanda's performances have belied his youth. He's also versatile, more often seen in defensive midfield, but also capable of playing at central defence.

There is also the possibility Celtic could pick up Malanda on the cheap, with the player claiming to have terminated his contract with Zulte-Waregem this week, despite having two years left to run on his deal.

Whether that process will drag out remains to be seen but a number of English clubs are reportedly monitoring the situation. Celtic would do well to do similar.

The Belgian Waffle: "Malanda had a tremendous first season with Zulte-Waregem. He's really energetic and likes to get stuck in. He is best suited as a defensive midfielder.

"Things have soured and his dad and agent have told him to leave. He didn't turn up to the first day of pre-season training in order to break his contract.

"Francky Dury, the ZW coach, said he was surprised as he thought he had good relationship and helped him progress. Basically it's two fingers up to a club Who saw potential in him when he was stuck with Lille's second team.

"He's ready-made for the English Premier League or SPL, but Fulham and Everton have concrete interest."

Daniel Łukasik
Legia Warsaw, 22 years old, 38 career club appearances, four international caps for Poland

The 2012/13 campaign was a breakout season for Łukasik, cementing a starting place in the title-winning Legia Warsaw side and making his debut for the Polish national side.

The 22-year-old midfielder is a pivotal figure in a defensive-minded role, contributing to transitions in play through his ability to retrieve the ball and redistributing it to team mates.

Michal Zachodny: "Łukasik would definitely fit into the Scottish Premier League. Well-built, full of energy and always bravely getting stuck into challenges.

"He also proved to be a tough player against Ireland in only his third game for the Polish national team where, despite defeat, he was the only one to match opponents in tackling.

"It was a great campaign for him, one where he settled surprisingly well into the defensive midfielder role for the domestic double winners Legia. He reads the game well and takes good positions, but he still has to improve in covering for defenders or his teammates, as well as in tackling.

"What separates him from others, however, is how well he moves the ball forward. He is not picking brave or adventurous passes but prefers to play the ball between the lines, make them go through opponents' midfield on the pitch.

"For him, every game is still a lesson. His improvement over last 12 months has not been matched by many in Poland in recent years. It is also easily noticeable how he gains experience from playing in Europe, in the league and for the national team. In terms of his intelligence, he is maturing very quickly.

"Legia boss Jan Urban sees him as a key player in his 4-2-3-1, securing the defence and changing shifts in moving the ball up with the other central midfielder, Ivica Vrdoljak. With his energy, strength and heading ability, Łukasik has everything to succeed and move forward. Perhaps with another year or so under his belt, Scotland could be too small for him, even Celtic."

Eric Tié Bi
Evian TG, 22 years old, 75 career club appearances, no international caps for Ivory Coast

Although his playing time with Evian was limited in 2012/13, the statistics stack up in favour of the Ivorian defensive midfielder.

Of 32 tackles made in his Ligue 1 outings, he was successful in 30 of them, a 94% success rate. He also made 14 key interceptions across 19 games, placing his defensive ability up there with the Champions League statistics of Wanyama.

His pass success rate, predominantly with short balls, is 86%, putting him in the top most successful passers in Ligue 1.

Andrew Gibney, French Football Weekly: "With a large frame, strong physique and a passion for the dirty part of the game, Evian midfielder Eric Tié Bi could be ready-made for the SPL.

"The Ivorian is a product of the famed Lyon youth academy and has caught the eye in his somewhat limited opportunities at ETG. At times he seems limited in his passing abilities but rarely gives the ball away.

"He could be more expansive with his passing range, but his game is more tuned to breaking up the opposition play and winning the ball back. This is where he excels."

Thomas Bruns
Heracles Almelo, 21 years old, 55 career club appearances, one Under-21 cap for the Netherlands

Typically deployed in central midfield, livewire Bruns could hold further appeal to Celtic as a utility man, having played across the full width of the park for Heracles.

He has had disciplinary problems in the Eredivisie, picking up two bans last season for an accumulation of yellow cards, and also seeing red twice.

Likely available for around £1m, Bruns recently forced his way into Holland's Under-21 squad but missed out on a place in their squad for the recent European Championships in Israel.

Peter McVitie, Eredivisie writer for Goal: "Standing at 5’ 9”, Bruns is shorter than Wanyama, but he is quicker on the ball and technically sound, too. He can also chip in with a few goals, having netted six times in the Dutch top flight last season.

"Crucially, a player like Bruns also fits Celtic’s transfer policy. He could be purchased from Heracles for a relatively small fee and, if he develops properly under the guardianship of Neil Lennon, he could be sold on for a good profit.

"A move to Celtic might be too big a step for the player at this moment in time. He has the strength, speed and skill to perform for Celtic in the league but when it comes to competing in the Champions League, it may be beyond him."

Beram Kayal
Celtic, 25 years old, 98 appearances, 24 international caps for Israel

The most obvious replacement for Wanyama could come from within. Recruited in 2010, Kayal initially shone in midfield before injury curtailed his progress.

The Israeli midfielder was tipped for a move to the English Premier League before his absence and subsequent dip in form. The departure of his team-mate could pave the way for him to reestablish his reputation in Scotland's top flight.

Manager Lennon has already spoken of Kayal being a ready-made replacement for Wanyama, saying the "drive and aggression" had returned to his game.

Michael Gunn, Tic Tac Tic: "A player Neil Lennon has previously described as “world class” and “the all-round midfielder”, Beram Kayal’s three seasons so far have been hampered by two related factors: fitness and consistency.

"The man he hopes to replace started 47 times last season, with Kayal managing about half of that. Amazingly that’s Kayal’s most appearances in a single season yet.

"Injuries and suspensions are occupational hazards, with his trademark, combustible ball-winning style getting him into as much trouble as good. It’s a different style of defensive midfielder to the cool and composed Wanyama.

"If he wants to fulfill his early potential then proving his reliability will be key, not only in terms of fitness and discipline but through being positionally smarter."

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