Rumoured Celtic target Xavier Mbuyamba has spoken out about his future amid speculation that he is set to depart his current club FC Volendam this summer.

The towering centre-back is said to be courting interest from various quarters as he is a man in demand following impressive showings in his native Netherlands.

The Eredivisie defender was once a Chelsea youth player and was touted for big things in the game. Failing to make the breakthrough at the North London club he was then transferred to Barcelona in La Liga but couldn’t quite make the breakthrough he desired there either. So, he took the road less travelled and has ended up in the Dutch top division and making a name for himself.

News broke in the mainstream media in Scotland claiming that Mbuyamba was a name high up on the list at the scouting department at Lennoxtown and that the Bhoys are looking into acquiring his services.

That has went a bit on the quiet side lately though, as new boss Brendan Rodgers assesses his inherited squad. Not to say that a move could still be made for the big man at some point, with the manager keen to bolster his defence for the forthcoming campaign.

Xavier himself has admitted he doesn’t know what the future holds for his career just yet, but hasn’t ruled out staying in Holland. He said: “The transfer window is not over yet and there are clubs who are interested, I don’t deny that”, as reported by Glasgow Times.

“But for now I just focus on FC Volendam. I’m not going to name any clubs who want me, but of course, it has to be a good step up. I’m not going to a comparable club or make a very small step upwards. But I don’t necessarily want to go abroad. The Netherlands would be good for me.”

Paul Gillespie

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