Celtic can now sign transfer target for free, his contract has just expired

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Amadou Mbengue has left Ligue 2 outfit Metz on a free transfer after the reported Celtic target’s contract expired, as reported by French publication LGM. 

The news of Mbengue’s departure will not come as a surprise to many across the Channel.

Metz finished just above the blazing, self-sustaining inferno that is Bordeaux in 2021/22; Sandwiched in the relegation zone between two fallen giants, Les Girondins and Saint Etienne.

And for a player of his ilk – the defensively-minded midfielder is just 20 years of age and in need of a coach that would take him under his wing – the chance to join a club like Celtic, and play under a manager like Ange Postecoglou, feels like an opportunity too good to pass up. 

Celtic want Metz’s Amadou Mbengue

It was FootMercato, last month, who reported Celtic’s interest.  

LGM believe that the Bundesliga is currently the most likely destination. But that could soon change, depending on what happens regarding Celtic’s pursuit of their number one defensive midfield target – the £8 million-rated Vinicius Souza. A decision is expected on the reported Ajax target in the coming days. 

Mbengue is more affordable – and attainable – than the coveted Souza. His contract expired on July 1^st.

And while the sample size is small, he started just five Ligue 1 matches last term after all, Mbengue still showed glimpses of the talent that has caught the eye of scouts from Glasgow to Germany. 

He is an imposing presence out of possession, a capable ball-carrier and an intelligent distributor. A player largely in the mould of his potential Celtic predecessor; Nir Bitton. 

Premiership champions Celtic have added Benjamin Siegrist and Alexandro Bernabei to their title-winning squad in the off-season. Daizen Maeda, Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers have also signed permanent deals.

The Hoops aren’t finished just yet, however. A ball-playing centre-half, in addition to a new number six, are still on Postecoglou’s shopping list.

“I still think there are one two areas where we need some more robustness in terms of the squad,” the Australian said after Wednesday’s 7-0 friendly victory over Wiener Viktoria.  

“Just some quality in depth. I wouldn’t expect too many. But there are still one or two areas I’m looking to strengthen knowing what’s ahead for us.”