Rangers and Celtic will have to stump up plenty of cash for the prolific Aaron Boupendza with Tuttomercatoweb reporting Atalanta are starting the bidding with a £7 million offer.
Is there a club in Britain that hasn’t been linked with the former Bordeaux hitman?
Boupendza was far from a household name in England and Scotland this time last year but, with the striker in unstoppable form for Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor, the 24-year-old’s name has been paraded around what feels like the whole of the UK in recent months.
According to 90Min, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was pushing Arsenal to make a bid for his fellow Gabon international.
Old Firm rivals Celtic and Rangers were in the mix too, although they can probably be considered outsiders at this stage.
Reports in Italy state Atalanta are leading the chase, offering £7 million for a striker who, with 22 goals in 25 starts, finished 2020/21 as the Super Lig’s Golden Boot winner.
Hatayspor are expected to demand closer to £10 million, meaning Celtic would have to pay a club-record sum if they’re to fight off competition from across the continent for Boupendza’s signature.
Of course, with Odsonne Edouard expected to depart during the summer transfer window, the Hoops could soon have about £20 million burning a hole in their back pocket.
TMW don’t explain how Boupendza feels about swapping the banks of the Levantine Sea for the beauty of Bergamo.
Atalanta, however, will be a Champions League team again next season, while their penchant for turning talented youngsters into household names is nothing short of legendary.
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