Celtic reportedly like Xavier Mbuyamba but the former Barcelona and Chelsea defender is playing down a potential summer move to the Scottish Premiership champions.
Speaking to De Telegraaf, after reports from Sky suggested that Mbuyamba had played his way into Celtic’s summer plans, the so-called ‘new Virgil van Dijk’ has made it clear that he does not have his heart set on a move away from FC Volendam.
Far from it.
Mbuyamba signed a three-year deal at the Kras Stadium in 2022.
And the one-time La Masia starlet, who spent a year at Barcelona before enjoying a stint at Chelsea, admits that he had planned to stay with Volendam until 2024, though the chance to play Champions League football under Ange Postecoglou may be tempting enough to speed up his career schedule.
Is Xavier Mbuyamba heading to Celtic?
“My agent is in the Netherlands. Soon, we will discuss what is going on,” Mbuyamba explains.
“There will be interest. But the main question is whether a move is right for me. If not, then I will stay. I have said that I will stay with FC Volendam for a maximum of two years, and this is the first season…”
“This was my first year in men’s football. I played in everything, showed that I can perform well and stayed fit. That’s great. I can’t complain about my performance.”
According to Sky, Celtic are facing competition from AZ Alkmaar, Ajax and Watford, amongst others. The 6ft 5ins centre-half, likened to one-time Hoops star Van Dijk due to his colossal physique and his pinpoint passing, has scored five goals this term for a Volendam side who look well-placed to avoid an immediate return to the Dutch second tier.
At Celtic, Mbuyamba would provide competition for Cameron Carter-Vickers for the right-sided centre-half role in Postecoglou’s XI. Carl Starfelt, meanwhile, is facing an uncertain future heading into the summer.
Sky Sports say that clubs in the Premier League and beyond are keen on a man who has overcome his ‘bombscare’ reputation to become one of Postecoglou’s most trusted lieutenants.
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