According to France Football, Troyes defender Kiki Kouyate did have interest from Celtic – but he won’t be heading to Parkhead.
It’s claimed that Celtic and Lens had both moved to try and sign Kouyate, with big interest in his signature.
This report stated that Metz accelerated their interest though, and have now won the race to sign him.
Metz have now announced the move on Twitter, with Kouyate signing a four-year deal with the club.
The fee involved is believed to be €3.5million, which is around £3.15million despite Troyes seeking €5million (£4.5million) earlier.
Kouyate, 23, has impressed at Troyes after previously playing for the B team of Portuguese giants Sporting.
A Mali international, Kouyate seemingly landed himself on Celtic’s radar, after the Bhoys released centre back Jozo Simunovic this summer.
Kouyate is a giant physical presence at 6ft 4in tall, which makes him somewhat similar to Celtic’s other centre backs Christopher Jullien and Kristoffer Ajer.
As a promising player with great physicality, Kouyate fit the bill for Celtic, but he has instead gone to Metz, leaving the Bhoys to look elsewhere.
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