Auxerre defender Willy Boly seems to be the next target to become Celtic’s defensive saviour.
The 21-year-old is expected to leave newly relegated Auxerre this week with Celtic, Fiorentina, Newcastle and Arsenal all reported to be showing interest.
While the SPL is unlikely to excite the young defender the prospect of playing in the Champions League should have more appeal than sitting on the bench watching the Premiership or Serie A.
If Celtic can get past Helsingborg on Wednesday night they are likely to go into overdrive to sign up their A-list transfer targets.
In the unlikely event of being knocked out by Helsingborgs more modest targets are likely to be pursued.
Asked about Boly Auxerre president Gerard Bourgoin said: “No one is holding a knife to our throat but we will take opportunities to sell.
“We haven’t had concrete offers for players but there is interest in several of them and I have had discussions with several clubs.
“Players like Boly and Georges Madjeck won’t leave for a low price.”
Boly hasn’t played in any of Auxerre’s matches this season but started in 32 games last season.
French sides Lorient and Toulouse have also made their interest known but it looks like Auxerre will hold out until the close of the transfer window before deciding whether to sell the defender who is in the final year of his contract.
Neil Lennon had hoped to have Polish centre-half Jaroslaw Fojut in place but a knee injury meant that deal was called off with the Celtic boss still searching for a dominating centre-half to add to his defence.
CLICK HERE for Levein- I’ve got eight players ahead of Commons
Follow Video Celts on Twitter and Facebook
Looks like we may have our work cut out to attract this guy, although the press are usign a scatter gun approach linking us with 4-5 players…so should get ONE right.
Either way, good to know we are working on bringing in some new talent. Still got a few makeweights who offer little to the squad to punt, others are showing worrying signs of being injury prone and could be moved on.
This guy any better than what we’ve got.
His team were relegated last season.
We had the best defence in our league last season. Our style of play doesn’t help our defence play with full backs pushed right up the park but that’s the Celtic way attack.
To many believe the media hype “Celtic have a poor defence” well the Scottish media can GTF.
Stevie we do have a poor defence, we just get away with it in the SPL. Against Helsingborg we should have conceded 3. Last season in the Europa we were giving away goals.
In the Champions League we will be punished.
I don’t form an opinion on how good our defence is based on what the media say, and assuming other fans do is just insulting.
No intention to insult anyone, but if we’re looking a champions league defender I suspect he’ll cost a bit more than we’ll willing or can afford to spend.
Our defence ain’t half as bad as many make out. Do we then need champions league strikers and mid fielders.
i hope this is just paper talk,we dont need a 21year old centre half-we have far better young players of our own comming thro,we need an experienced centre back to nurture our young defenders.
Sean st ledger. Hes at a good age, plenty experience to help bring on the young lads, also shouldnt be much more than 2 million surely
I like St Ledger as he does give 100% every game,great experience but is prone to the odd mistake.
I think he would be a bargain @ 2 million and his experience and will to win would be an asset for the younger members of the team.
I also think somebody like Michael Owen would be a good short-term asset with the Champions league in mind,available on a free,although I suppose the wages might be a problem.
Sean St Ledger? Really… Im not so sure he is better than anything we already got…. Id like to see a centre back that doesnt look like a petrol tanker doing a 3 point turn on a country lane… Fast Big Strong Leader, I dont ask for much Mr Lawell should only cost about 85 million…. To be honest, squad is decent minus a few tweaks here and there… Disappointed Ledley and Kayal out for a few weeks but hey ho… Bring it on HelsinkiBorgs! < You see what I did there?! Huh, did ya?! HH!
Billy Boly ! Would be a great signing for New Rangers, probably shift a few more season tickets. Stupid stupid ex huns.
Hi – there seems to be a lot of negativity about this guy. trust me – he is an excellent player, and EXACTLY the type of signing the Club should be making. Big, strong, athletic, young, great in the air, and can play football on the deck unlike a lot of centre halves. I saw him play last season – when a ball went into the Auxerre box – it came straight back out off his head. My first thoughts were – I’d love to see that guy in the Hoops!