AEK Athens are hopeful of signing Olivier Ntcham next week.
The midfielder looks to be surplus to requirements at Celtic, and crucially one of the largest earners at the club.
After a highly impressive first season following his £4.5m move from Manchester City in July 2017 Ntcham’s influence has been on the decline.
AEK Athens officials are optimistic that Olivier Ntcham will be a free agent from July 1. Greek club and French player have agreed personal terms#AEK #Celtic #CelticFC
— Giannis Chorianopoulos (@choria80) June 21, 2021
Chorianopoulos is the editor of Sportime.gr.
Under Neil Lennon Scott Brown and Callum McGregor were the first pick central midfielders with Ryan Christie or David Turnbull in the advanced role.
At the end of January it looked like a solution had been found when Ntcham went on loan to Marseille but after minimum playing time his move to the French club has ended.
Turkish side Sivasspor have also been linked with the Frenchman but with Celtic’s non-internationalists back in pre-season training Ntcham hasn’t yet been sighted at Lennoxtown.
Last season Ntcham started 12 Celtic matches before going on loan to Marseille.