Ange Postecoglou’s Scottish Premiership champions Celtic have reportedly joined Watford and Eredivisie giants Ajax in the race to sign FC Volendam defender Xavier Mbuyamba during the summer transfer window.
A decade ago, Celtic snapped up a little-known Dutch defender by the name of Virgil van Dijk from FC Groningen.
Given that Mbuyamba has been described by some as the second coming of Liverpool’s £75 million Dutchman, reports linking the so-called ‘new Van Dijk’ with the newly-crowned Premiership champions mean the 21-year-old could soon be following in his compatriot’s footsteps.
Is Xavier Mbuyamba heading to Celtic?
Celtic, according to Sky Sports, are one of a number of clubs eyeing Mbuyamba this summer. Ajax, AZ Alkmaar and Watford are also among his admirers.
A major presence in both boxes for FC Volendam, his colossal defending and impressive five-goal tally has Het Andere Oranje well placed to avoid an immediate return to the Eerste Divisie. Not that he’ll definitely be sticking around to help his club avoid the dreaded ‘second season syndrome’.
Mbuyamba has two years remaining on his contract. It is unlikely that Volendam would be able to stand in his way should the likes of Celtic or Ajax step up their interest, however. Particularly given the prospect of Champions League football at the former.
Postecoglou’s outstanding track record with promising young talent will also do Celtic’s hopes no harm.
6ft 5ins and comfortable with the ball at his feet; Mbuyamba spent a year in Barcelona’s La Masia academy before joining Chelsea in 2020. Injury played a key part in his inability to force his way into the first-team plans at Stamford Bridge.
Mbuyamba’s blend of technical and physical gifts, meanwhile, should stand him in good stead under a coach in Postecoglou who expects his centre-halves to be the last line of defence and the first line of attack.
“(Former Barca director Patrick Kluivert) signed me. He thought I’d fit well with Barca’s style,” Mbuyamba told Voetbal International during his time at the Camp Nou.
“I am good on the ball. Of course, you have to have that there.”
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