Celtic are considering pulling off a low-cost raid on Ligue 2 outfit Nimes Olympique in the January transfer window for their winger Zinedine Ferhat, according to Foot Mercato.
Ange Postecoglou wants to further strengthen the Parkhead ranks in the winter market as they battle for the Premiership title. The Bhoys have already announced three mid-season signings with Yosuke Ideguchi, Reo Hatate and Daizen Maeda all moving to Glasgow.
Ferhat could follow the J1-League trio to Scotland next month, as Celtic want to reshuffle Postecoglou’s squad. The Daily Record note wingers and defenders are among the Hoops’ targets. They could also sell Albian Ajeti, Vasilis Barkas, Boli Bolingoli and Ismaila Soro.
Celtic eye low-cost transfer for Nimes winger Ferhat
Ferhat may represent a low-cost option for Postecoglou to improve Celtic’s wide midfield options with a January transfer from Nimes. The 28-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season and is highly unlikely to sign new terms.
The Algeria international has spent the season so far mostly out of Pascal Plancque’s plans at the Costieres Stadium. Ferhat has started just four of Nimes’ fixtures over seven outings across all competitions this term. Plancque has also omitted him from 15 matchday squads.
Ferhat could have left the Costieres this summer, but chose to stay into the final year of his £9k-a-week contract. He likely now regrets the call, but has attracted interest from Ligue 1 pair Saint-Etienne and Montpellier – along with Celtic.
Ferhat was a regular fixture of the Nimes side last season as Les Crocodiles dropped out of the French top-flight. He started all 33 of his appearances over their 38 games, and scored six goals and also recorded 10 assists.
Celtic are now studying a deal to sign Ferhat from Nimes in the January transfer window to satisfy Postecoglou’s plans. And they could jump at the chance to seal a low-cost deal.
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