SOUTHEND United’s Bilel Mohsni is to go on trial with Scottish Premier League giants Celtic.

The 25-year-old defender returned home to France after Blues rejected West Ham’s offer to sign him.

But he will be heading to Glasgow this week in a bid to earn a permanent contract with the Glasgow club.

“Celtic are keen to take a closer look at Bilel and have asked him in to train with them for a few days,” said a source close to the player.

“Southend have told him they don’t want him back and he wants to be playing at a higher level, so it suits everyone if he does soon move on.

“West Ham were not willing to pay what Southend wanted for him but we’re closer to the transfer deadline now and hopefully something can be sorted out if Bilel impresses them,” the source added.

Mohsni, who can also play in midfield and up front, has not returned to Roots Hall since the end of the season.

And he spent the first fortnight of pre-season training with West Ham. The Hammers were willing to pay around £150,000 to secure his services but Blues were believed to be asking for a far higher sum.

He seems destined to depart and Ryan Hall’s future at the Roots Hall club is also in doubt.

For the Echo can now reveal that the winger is attracting interest from Championship duo Blackpool and Peterborough United.

Neither of the teams have yet to place an official bid but tentative enquiries have been made and Southend have insisted the former Crystal Palace trainee will not be sold cheaply.

However, Hall is not the only Blues players attracting interest from the Championship, as Nottingham Forest are also said to be keen on midfielder Kane Ferdinand.

Forest watched the 19-year-old against Northampton on Saturday and are now considering making a bid before the transfer window shuts on Friday night.