Romain Perraud has sensationally revealed that Nice flat-out rejected Celtic’s approach for the left-back in the summer. The French U20 player spent last season on loan at Paris FC but became the subject of interest from Celtic, Brest and Dijon.
The Cote D’Azur club, however, didn’t want to sell the 22-year-old to the Treble Treble winners, instead selling him to the Brittany side, Brest, according to Perraud.
As reported by French football site Goal FR, Perraud confirmed it was Patrick Vieira’s Nice that blocked the move to Glasgow.
“Celtic and Dijon made me concrete offers. With Celtic, the discussions started at the beginning of the transfer window, but Nice did not want to hear anything, so they did not come back.
“There remained Dijon and Brest. In the end, I chose Brest. I was seduced by the project and the speech I received.”
Celtic were in the market for two left-backs after Emilio Izaguirre departed and Kieran Tierney’s transfer to Arsenal was being negotiated and Perraud was one of the Scottish Champions’ main targets. Neil Lennon scouted him personally in April when he was on loan at FC Paris in the French second tier.
However, with the news that Nice would not allow Perraud to move to Celtic, Neil Lennon’s Champions signed Boli Bolingoli-Mbombo from Rapid Vienna and Greg Taylor from Kilmarnock. The pair joined the ever dependable Jonny Hayes, who has readily deputised in the left-back berth and has become a fans’ favourite.
Perraud has played eleven times this season for Brest, who sit 12th in Ligue 1, tied on points with Nice – who sit in 13th on goal difference. Two places above them in 10th spot are Celtic’s Europa League group rivals Rennes who come to Celtic Park at the end of the month having already been eliminated after a dreadful European campaign.
Yesterday we told you that the French Cup Winners are planning to play youth players against Celtic in a match that could see the Treble Treble winners win the group.
