Norwich prepare improved offer for Gary Hooper

CHRIS Hughton could present Celtic with an improved offer for striker Gary Hooper of between £7 million and £8 million this week after the Parkhead side knocked back an initial bid from Norwich last week.

Neil Lennon has admitted that the former Scunthorpe player ‘has his price’ and whilst he is keen for Hooper to remain with Celtic, he knows that a sizeable offer could tempt the 24-year-old into moving to the Canaries, who lost 5-0 to Liverpool this weekend.

The Carrow Road side are prepared to make Hooper one of the highest-earners at the club, with a £30,000-a-week deal mentioned in previous weeks and Hooper’s double against Hearts on Saturday may have convinced Hughton to abandon his pursuit of Swansea City forward Danny Graham.

Should Hooper exit Celtic, the Parkhead side have been keeping tabs on Japanese striker Yuji Owo, who is currently wanted by Standard Liege but is reportedly keen on a move to Glasgow, and Burnley’s striker Charlie Austin who, like Hooper, has worked his way up through the lower leagues of England.