Celtic could be about to reignite their interest in Dutch defender, Xavier Mbuyamba. The massive centre-back is said to be attracting serious attention this summer as club’s in the Eredivisie and throughout Europe more generally are reported to be on his tail.

The Hoops were linked with the big man a while ago and it seems that after Ange Postecoglou’s departure for the English Premier League, his successor Brendan Rodgers is looking at the Volendam stopper too. According to a report by Stephen McGowan of Scottish Daily Mail, in which he outlined Fenerbahce’s desire to sign Liel Abada – which you can read all about right here on The Celtic Star – it’s claimed the Bhoys are keen on a man who has been compared to former Celt Virgil van Dijk.

The competition for the towering figure will be fierce as club’s in the Eredivisie circle in the form of AZ Alkmaar and Ajax (who have just lost Jurrien Timber to Arsenal), whilst others across the continent eye him up too. But with money aplenty this close-season which has been aided by the record-breaking deal for Portuguese winger Jota, hopefully the recruitment team can make something happen.

Yesterday’s 6-4 defeat to Yokohama F. Marinos certainly highlighted the deficiencies of our defensive unit without key players, so Rodgers will already be acutely aware of the pressing need for more quality and depth in those crucial areas of the side.

Paul Gillespie

Xavier Mbuyamba in Eredivisie@Eleven11Stats attributes [percentile]:

Offensive duels: 86%
Defensive duels: 98%
Aerial duels: 98%
Press duels: 95%
Loose-ball duels: 94%

One of the best young CBs in Eredivisie last season. pic.twitter.com/o145LVLhBO

— VScout (@VScout_) July 19, 2023

Morning Gossip: After that defensive comedy of errors it's nice to be linked with a defender. An old story which is either lazy journalism or something in it. Stories of Xavier Mbuyamba 21 CH from Volendam. Reports of Interest in Abada from Turkey. He has to stay this season. HH pic.twitter.com/chYfimzVu6

— Celtic Gossip (@CelticGossip) July 20, 2023

🚨SCOUTING REPORT🚨

🇳🇱 XAVIER MBUYAMBA

▪️Calm on the ball
▪️Good vision with forward balls
▪️Happy to dribble out in tight spaces
▪️More interceptor than enforcer
▪️Can struggle with a quick change of direction
▪️Good at picking ball off opponent’s feet if close pic.twitter.com/vlezCJ6A3V

— The Cynic (@90MinuteCynic) July 20, 2023

HUGE SAVINGS IN THE CELTIC STAR’S SUMMER SALE!

The Celtic Star’s Father’s Day Promotion has been so successful, with hundreds of books at great prices being posted to Celtic fans all over the world, that we’ve decided to continue with the sale until the end of July. We’ve reduced all six books currently available from their usual retail price of £20 and prices are as low as £6 (see below).

All books are high quality hardback, with some signed by the author. And it’s also worth noting that you only pay postage on one book, so it’s free for the second, third and so on. ORDER HERE or click on The Celtic Star image above…this is how it feels to be Celtic!