Celtic linked with former £18.5m defensive midfielder who is a free agent

Celtic are being linked with a move for former Marseille, Stoke and Porto defensive midfielder Giannelli Imbula. Le Parisen are reporting that The Scottish Champions have been offered the 28-year-old to sign as they plan a summer overhaul.

Imbula was close to signing for Nantes in the summer but no deal transpired. However, now French journalist Christophe Bérard has said that the player has been offered to the Parkhead side.

“Still having no point of fall, he has just been offered to Celtic Glasgow, current 2nd in the Scottish Championship.”

Five years ago, the player signed for Stoke City in a deal worth £18.5m but despite impressing in the first team in his first year, since Mark Hughes was sacked, he struggled to show his worth and was loaned out. In total, Imbula has amassed over £42m in transfer fees paid for his services and has played 290 games and scored 12 times in his career thus far.

Imbula is currently training with Stoke City as he looks to find a new club. The DR Congo midfielder left the club in February 2020 by mutual consent, opting for a move to Sochi. This move resulted in just one appearance and he left the club in July. Following his departure from Russia, Imbula trained with Guingamp but the Ligue 2 side passed up the opportunity to sign him.

Celtic are well stocked in the midfield and it is the defence that needs attention – most notably the right back position. There may still be a player in there and Celtic may be the place to rediscover his best form but the issue remains about who is in charge at Celtic and who will be in charge next season.

About Author

Born just as Celtic were stopping the Ten, Lubo98 follows Celtic home and away and helps run his local Celtic Supporters Club. He goes to all the games and is a Law Graduate. Has a particular fondness for Tom Rogic among the current Celts and both Lubo and Henrik form his earliest Celtic memories.

1 Comment

  1. Imbula, joined Stoke, made no attempt to learn English and sulked, even substituting himself in a friendly, hope you have better luck with him, wasting his undoubted talent.