MARSEILLE will have to sell before they can make a move for Celtic’s French star Olivier Ntcham, according to the goal.com journalist Robin Bairner, who quotes a report in the French media La Provence.
The asking price that Celtic are seeking for the midfielder, who hasn’t looked particularly happy at Celtic since his mate Moussa Dembele left at the end of August 2018, is €17m (£15m) and that might open the door for Porto to beat the French side who recently appointed Andre Villas Boas as their new manager on a €6m salary. Incredibly this represented a pay cut for the Portuguese from his previous salary levels he received in both Russia and China.
But with no European football next season the former Tottenham and Chelsea manager will have to generate his own transfer budget through player sales at OM.
Porto, who have had two previous bids rejected by Celtic, have been long term admirers of Ntcham, whose name appeared on that controversial document that was leaked earlier this week, suggesting that Celtic would sell this summer if their asking price is met.
What is clear is that both Porto and Marseille are now aware of how much it will take to sign Olivier Ntcham.
Marseille’s move for Celtic midfielder Olivier Ntcham has stalled for the moment, La Provence reports. OM will have to sell before meeting Celtic’s €17m (£15m) asking price.
— Robin Bairner (@RBairner) June 7, 2019
Meanwhile while Ntcham could be heading back to France, Moussa Dembele may be back in Britain with Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool all interested in tempting him away for Lyon.
Dembele joined Lyon for €20m on the last day of the summer transfer window last year and the French side could more than double their money if they get the top sides in England bidding. That would mean an additional cash windfall for Celtic who have the usual sell-on clause included in the Dembele sale.
