Toulouse are reported to have dropped their interest in signing Stephen Welsh from Celtic.
Moritz Jenz’s loan move to Celtic last week seemed to give Toulouse encouragement to move for Welsh but Ange Postecoglou has ruled out any deal for the former Scotland u-21 captain.
After sitting out the 18 SPFL matches played in the second half of last season Welsh has been given his chance in pre-season following an injury that Carl Starfelt suffered on international duty.
The 22-year-old has more than deputised alongside Cameron Carter-Vickers on the left hand side of defence with his confidence highlighted by yesterday’s goal against Aberdeen.
UPDATE: Toulouse have ended their pursuit of Celtic defender Stephen Welsh in this window.
He was their No1 centre-back target this summer.
However, Celtic rejected a season-long loan bid, with an option-to-buy for £3.5m, last week.
Toulouse will now move on to other targets. https://t.co/juxtIaDCSm
— Anthony Joseph (@AnthonyRJoseph) August 1, 2022
Starfelt returned to first team training on Friday but his lack of match fitness will be an issue that Ange Postecoglou has to address.
With Welsh returning to favour it looks like Celtic have four central defensive options which could speed up the departure of Chris Jullien, ironically a former Toulouse defender.
If Toulouse have been looking at Welsh they are bound to be aware of Jullien’s situation, failing to make the substitute bench yesterday was further proof that there won’t be a return to favour at Celtic.
Mr Julien has played his last game for us I think.