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Does Champions League clash give Kara Mbodji final chance to seal Celtic switch?

Celtic's Northern Irish manager Brendan Rodgers attends a press conference following a training session at the Celtic Training Centre in Lennoxtown...
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In-demand Anderlecht centre-back Kara Mbodji was wanted by Celtic in 2014 and Brendan Rodgers is looking for a new defender now.

Serigne Mbodji of RSC Anderlecht in action during the UEFA Europa League Group C match between RSC Anderlecht and 1. FSV Mainz 05 at Constant Vanden Stock Stadium on November 3, 2016 in...

It is looking increasingly unlikely that Kara Mbodji will be an Anderlecht player by the time February rolls around.

The Senegalese centre-back is not short of offers ahead of the January transfer window with his agent telling Turkish Football recently that he had held talks with a number of Premier League clubs. Newcastle, Leicester, Crystal Palace, Swansea and Brighton are understood to be interested in ‘King Kara’.

But with his Anderlecht side set to face Celtic in the Champions League in a straight shoot-out for that third-place finish and a spot in the Europa League, Mbodji might have one last chance to show why the Scottish giants should renew their interest.

Serigne Mbodji of RSC Anderlecht battles with Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Manchester United during the UEFA Europa League quarter final second leg match between Manchester United and RSC...

According to The Express in December 2014, Mbodji had caught Celtic’s eye with his performances at former club Racing Genk, then managed by ex-Rangers boss Alex McLeish.

And, three years on, the Scottish Sun reports that a new centre-back is Brendan Rodgers priority in the January transfer window with Celtic suffering from a number of injuries in the first-half of this season, leaving their defensive options stretched to their limit.

Celtic Manager Brendan Rodgers celebrates during the William Hill Scottish Cup Final between Celtic and Aberdeen at Hampden Park on May 27, 2017 in Glasgow, Scotland.

So Mbodji may be hoping to make a better impression on Celtic than he did when Rodgers’ side travelled to Belgium earlier in the campaign. It was his own goal from a Patrick Roberts shot that set Celtic on their way to a 3-0 away win.

But if Mbodji shows what a combative and belligerent presence he can be at the back, there’s no reason why his defender-seeking former suitors should not renew their interest in time for the New Year.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7X7iTd0jE8