Scottish Premiership champions Celtic are reportedly set to sign Belgian left-back Mbombo from Austrian Bundesliga outfit Rapid Vienna.
Rapid Vienna have confirmed on Twitter that Boli Mbombo has been given permission to leave their training camp as the left-back closes in on a £3 million move to Celtic.
The cousin of Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku has emerged as a gossip column regular in the last few weeks, ever since he was initially linked with Burnley and Huddersfield Town by the Sun.
But Celtic have come from nowhere to be on the verge of making Mbombo their second summer signing, after the arrival of centre-back Christopher Jullien from Toulouse.
The Times report that the 24-year-old is certain to arrive for a fee of £3 million within the next 48 hours. Manager Neil Lennon has admitted that the deal is close, adding that Mbombo will be a ‘good addition’ thanks to his pace, power and quality on the ball.
And Austrian Bundesliga outfit Rapid have all-but confirmed that their prized asset is heading for Glasgow by announcing on Twitter that he has suddenly left their pre-season training camp.
It remains to be seen what role Mbombo will have at Celtic. Will he be a back-up to Kieran Tierney, a more natural alternative than Jonny Hayes and a younger, quicker model when compared to the veteran Emilio Izaguirre?
Or will he be given the almost impossible task of replacing Tierney, whose future is still shrouded in doubt?
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