CELTIC have fared well with French youngsters over the last few years with Olivier Ntcham, Moussa Dembele and Odsonne Edouard all being brought through French academies. Ntcham and Dembele moved across the Channel to English clubs before eventually making their way to Celtic.

Thierno Balde and Isaac Karamoko are set to leave the French Champions ahead of the expiry of their deals. Balde, 17, has been offered professional terms with PSG; although as of yet is still to agree a deal for his future. Leeds United have expressed an interest in signing the highly-rated right-back.

Meanwhile, 18-year-old Karamoko is another player to come out of PSG that is attracting interest. Karamoko has been linked with Championship duo Reading and Hull City as the end of his contract approaches; however, Celtic should look to the PSG U19 as an option for the future as the recruitment drive begins ahead of next season.

Karamoko and Balde could be shown the progress and breakthrough another French imports, Odsonne Edouard or Olivier Ntcham, who have used the club improve around the first team. Celtic’s pathway will be attractive to young players, like Jeremie Frimpong, who could see the possibility of going down to play in the Premier League in the future.

Virgil Van Dijk is perhaps the greatest success story in recent seasons for Celtic’s business model. Signed for a modest fee, Van Dijk would become one of Celtic’s best players, playing in Europe and winning trophies. It is no surprise that he went on and became one of the best defenders in the world and should be Celtic’s example when discussing the possibilities of a move to Glasgow.

Celtic will be recruiting players for next season on a reduced budget due to Coronavirus. The club’s Head of Recruitment, Gary Penrice, confirmed that the club were watching 240 targets. Celtic have opted to sign promising youngsters from top academies in Europe as they look to build for the future. Lee O’Connor, Jeremie Frimpong and Luca Connell represent signing these youngsters with the promise of an opportunity and pathway into the club’s first team, exposing them to European football, demanding crowds and the winning mentality.