Xavier Mbuyamba of Volendam is reported to be ‘high on a list of targets’ as Brendan Rodgers looks to strengthen his Celtic defence.
After clinching the title at Tynecastle Celtic lost nine goals in their next three matches with that pattern continuing yesterday with Yokohama F Marinos putting six goals past Joe Hart and Ben Siegrist.
Without Cameron Carter-Vickers the Celtic defence becomes very vulnerable with the former Spurs man hoping to be back playing at some stage next month.
Finding another defender with the attributes of Carter-Vickers is a tall task to take on but earlier this year Celtic’s recruitment team came up with the goods when Alistair Johnston was brought in to replace Josip Juranovic.
There are no signs that Carter-Vickers is leaving but another central defender of that calibre would reduce the dependency on the USA internationalist with Stephen McGowan of the Daily Mail revealing:
A central defender remains a priority and former Chelsea youth player Xavier Mbuyamba is high on a list of targets.
The 21-year-old Dutchman is expected to leave current club Volendam this summer, and Celtic face competition for his signature.
Mbuyamba has already had spells at Chelsea and Barcelona but has found his feet and been given game time with Volendam, a decade ago Celtic signed Virgil van Dijk from Dutch side Groningen.
The showcase of Champions League football on the doorstep of the EPL could be a powerful attraction for the 21-year-old with his arrival a show of intent that Brendan Rodgers wants to raise the standards set by Ange Postecoglou.
Mbuyamba has two years left on his contract with Volendam having an option for a further year, CLICK HERE for his Transfermarkt profile.
And to think Ange preferred Starfelt to Moritz Jentz!
Jentz was ten times the player Starfelt will ever be!
Yet we let him go without taking up his loan option, and to make matters worse we signed Kobayashi too!
Ange didn’t make a whole lot of transfer clangers, but this was definitely one combination explosion!
We were left with the two damp squibs!
In my honest opinion, Starfelt is vastly overrated. I cringe every single time I see him in possession. For all those who sing his praises, just ask yourselves, how sound has the back line been without CCV? If Starfelt was as good as some say, he would be able to step up in CCVs absence. He was a nightmare against the youngest club in the SPFL at the tail end of the season after the league was won. Same again against Hibs. Same again in the Cup Final against Caley.
He is a liability. Move him along before he wears CCV down and out!
Biggest disappointment of the window to date is the defensive set up not being addressed what so ever.
These issues were evident at the end of last season with the lack of quality and reliability and depth within the defensive set up.
It still remains miles short in numbers for CL and not even convinced for SPFL standards at present.
Would have thought it was going to be the main area within the squad that had to be addressed and hoping we don’t come to regret it with the time delays at present.
Yes the defence rests, while others do their bit.
Hart needs replaced.
A good centre back has been required for some time, iwata filled in there at later stage of last season with Kobayashi being very soft and easy to beat.
Signings so far have been about wingers, with more being hailed on the media.
Sort the defence to stop losing goals, no point scoring 4 to lose 6 even during pre season.
Lack of pre season fitness is not an acceptable excuse, players are well paid and don’t graft like labourers, so in modern times they should be able to do their jobs always.
Get it sorted Celtic Hail Hail