A target like Magic Merlin is the player we should be after, and the market we should be shopping in…
Nantes’ Egyptian forward #31 Mostafa Mohamed (L) celebrates with Nantes’ French midfielder #29 Quentin Merlin (R) after scoring his team’s first goal during the French L1 football match between FC Nantes and Toulouse FC at the Stade de la BeaujoireLouis Fonteneau in Nantes, western France on August 13, 2023. (Photo by SEBASTIEN SALOM-GOMIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Celtic have been heavily linked with Nantes left back Quentin Merlin. The 21 year old is a French youth international and plays regularly in ligue 1 with over 50 first team appearances to his name with the French side.
That’s exactly the sort of market we should be shopping in. Ligue 1 is a better than decent level and getting a highly rated France under 21 international for the £7- £8 million fee that’s been quoted is more than reasonable in todays market, and a fee we could easily afford.
Qarabag’s Montenegrin defender Marko Vesovic (L) shoots the ball as Nantes’ France’s forward Quentin Merlin (C) looks on during the UEFA Europa League Group D football match between FC Nantes (FRA) and Qarabag FK (AZE) at The Beaujoire stadium in Nantes, on October 27, 2022. (Photo by SEBASTIEN SALOM-GOMIS/AFP via Getty Images)
Left back is also an area we are in need of strengthening and a highly rated talent like Quentin is a player we should be looking to sign as we bid to bolster our squad.
He is only an inch taller than Greg Taylor and 2 inches taller than Alexandra Bernabei, but unlike both he can combine both attack and defence to great effect and that is something we badly need in the left back area.
Even if nothing comes of a move for Merlin, it’s hearting to know that we are prepared to look in this sort of market and spend a decent bit of money in our bid to strengthen the side.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
Meanwhile, check out Matt Corr speaking to the one and only Martin O’Neill on The Celtic Star Podcast…
