Celtic are reported to be showing at interest in Nathanael Mbuku.
The 18-year-old has broken into the Stade Reims side this season to build on the impact that he made at the u-17 World Cup.
Over the last few years Celtic have successfully scouted in France with Moussa Dembele, Olivier Ntcham, Odsonne Edouard and Chris Jullien signed up although Dembele and Ntcham had moved to England to start their senior careers.
Footmercato reports:
Performances that did not go unnoticed since several clubs have positioned themselves to recruit the native of Villeneuve-Saint-Georges (Val-de-Marne). Parma and Celtic have started approaches in recent days to find out the starting conditions. And to give up its nugget, the SDR claims about 8 million euros. In France, Lille has expressed its interest in the silver shoe of the last U17 World Cup, but rather with a view to next summer.
A transfer fee of 8m euros for an 18-year-old would be very out of character for Celtic who have been able to sign Luca Connell, Jeremy Frimpong, Jonathan Afolabi and Lee O’Connor for less than £1m over the last 18 months.
With four key players out of contract in June 2022 and three loanees going back to their club at the end of this season there is likely to be a large turnover of players this summer but it’s difficult to see where an expensive French teenager fits in with Celtic’s plans.
Celtic’s record transfer fees are the £9m paid for Edouard followed by £7m for Jullien. Mbuku is under contract until 2023.
