Celtic are battling Premier League trio Southampton, Newcastle and West Ham United to sign the prolific Jean-Pierre Nsame during the summer transfer window, as reported by TEAMtalk.
A few years ago, Basel were the dominant force of Swiss football, hoovering up trophy after trophy while providing a platform for talented young footballers like Mo Salah, Granit Xhaka, Xherdan Shaqiri and Mo Elneny.
Now, however, it is Young Boys sitting on the throne, turning Basel from perennial title-winners into the ‘best of the rest’.
After 31 games, Gerardo Seoane’s side are a remarkable 28 points clear at the top of the table; a fourth successive league title already in the bag.
Whether they can make it a fifth in a row, however, remains to be seen.
According to TEAMtalk, Young Boys are facing a major challenge as they look to retain the services of their star striker.
Cameroon international Nsame has scored another 25 goals in 38 games in 2020/21 – after hitting the net 41 times last term. Scottish giants Celtic are interested, battling Southampton, Newcastle and West Ham for the 6ft 2ins front man.
Nsame could be tasked with replacing the talismanic Odsonne Edouard at Parkhead, while Southampton are in the market for a striker capable of taking over from contract-rebel Danny Ings.
West Ham, remarkably, do not have a classic number nine in their ranks, although Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio have adapted brilliantly to a more central role in recent months.
“I’ve improved year on year to become a good finisher inside the box, to have confidence in my technique, as well as to move around effectively,” Nsame told FIFA last month. “I hold my own pretty well with defenders and am not afraid to go up against them.
“I can progress in every area, like being even more efficient with my finishing in the area and more involved in the build-up play. Moreover, I watch Karim Benzema a lot for the way he participates in games.”
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