It is Xavier Mbuyamba’s defensive qualities – rather than his attacking ones – that are likely to have caught the eye of Celtic, amid reports suggesting that the FC Volendam defender has emerged as a summer target for Ange Postecoglou’s Premiership champions.
But if Mbuyamba is capable of contributing in both boxes, then that can surely only be a good thing.
The 21-year-old centre-half took his Eredivisie tally to five for 2022/23 alone with two soaring headers in Saturday’s 2-1 triumph over Sparta Rotterdam. A result which all-but secured Volendam’s top-flight spot for another season.
In addition to averaging 5.5 successful clearances per game – the third highest in the Eredivisie – Mbuyamba is also the division’s most prolific defender (WhoScored).
Celtic, then, would be getting themselves a man who can do both. Thumping a cross away from the danger area at one end, before guiding one into the top corner at the other.
Will Celtic finally sign Xavier Mbuyamba this summer?
According to Sky Sports, Celtic are joining Ajax, AZ Alkmaar and Watford in pursuit of the former Barcelona and Chelsea youngster, who joined Volendam on a three-year deal in 2022 after failing to make the breakthrough at two of Europe’s biggest clubs.
And if his name feels oddly familiar to some, there’s a very good reason for that.
Dutch publication Voetbal International reported back four years ago this month that Mbuyamba – then a 17-year-old plying his trade for MVV Maastricht – was on the radar of not only Celtic, but also Liverpool. Bayern Munich and Chelsea too.
He would join Barcelona’s fabled La Masia academy soon after.
‘The new Virgil van Dijk?’
Mbuyamba has been labelled the ‘new Virgil van Dijk’ back home. And the sight of him following in Van Dijk’s footsteps at Parkhead – it was Celtic to handed Liverpool’s number four his break on British soil – will only serve to back up those comparisons.
“My agent is in the Netherlands. Soon, we will discuss what is going on,” Mbuyamba tells De Telegraaf ahead of what could be a hectic summer
“There will be interest. But the main question is whether a move is right for me. If not, then I will stay. I have said that I will stay with FC Volendam for a maximum of two years. And this is my first season…”
“This was my first year in men’s football. I played in everything, showed that I can perform well and stayed fit. That’s great. I can’t complain about my performance.”
Mbuyamba knows from experience – returning to the Netherlands after struggling to make the grade at Barcelona and Chelsea – that a change of scenary is not always all it’s cracked up to be.
But unlike in 2019, when Celtic first made their interest known, Mbuyamba would now be arriving at Parkhead not as a precocious youngster but as a seasoned first-teamer with a proven track record in a top European league.
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