Celtic’s Scottish Premiership champion Olivier Ntcham is likely to be in demand again with FC Porto in need of a Hector Herrera replacement.
Celtic could see another bid for Olivier Ntcham arrive this summer.
A £4 million signing from Manchester City in the summer of 2017, the French midfielder became the club’s most expensive addition since Scott Brown arrived from Hibernian a decade earlier (Scottish Sun).
And Ntcham celebrated his first season in Scottish football by winning a domestic treble, all the while catching the eye with his probing passes and ability to turn defence into attack in an instant.
The 23-year-old’s second season in Celtic colours has been a little more difficult, however. He struggled for form in the first half of the campaign and hasn’t been seen since the turn of the year due to an ongoing knee injury.
As a result, Celtic should seriously consider striking while the iron is hot if Porto are set to renew their interest in the summer. And they seem likely to do just that.
The reigning champions of Portugal have been linked with Ntcham for some time now and the Scottish Sun reported in January that they were willing to pay £13 million – a fee that would see Celtic bag a £9 million profit.
A powerful midfielder is a must for Porto this summer with The Dragons expected to bid farewell to their influential captain Hector Herrera, who they have failed to tie down to a new contract.
Ntcham shares a fair few similarities with the Mexico international so looks like a ready-made replacement on paper. And considering that Ntcham has struggled with form and fitness this season, the time could be right to cash in.
A £13 million windfall would allow Celtic’s next manager, whoever that may be, to reinforce a squad with far too many weak areas over the summer.
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