Celtic are ready to offer midfielder Olivier Ntcham a new deal amid concrete interest from FC Porto, according to A Bola.
The Portuguese newspaper report that Champions League side Porto have submitted a bid worth £13.5million for the young Frenchman, with the Hoops determined to keep hold of their star.
A Bola claim that Celtic bosses see Ntcham as a key asset and one with huge potential, and are now willing to offer him an improved deal to remain at the club this summer.
Ntcham’s current contract runs until 2021.
OPINION
It is not surprising to hear that Celtic are ready to offer Ntcham a new deal to encourage him to stick around. The young French midfielder has developed into key player for Brendan Rodgers since his arrival at Parkhead, and to see him leave after the season has started would be a huge blow for the Hoops. The 22-year-old midfielder is almost irreplaceable at the moment for Rodgers, and keeping him around for this season must be a top priority. If this £13.5million bid has come in, then Celtic must stand firm despite the big fee available to them. Ntcham is worth far more to the club as a player rather than an asset, especially after such a poor summer transfer window so far. Rodgers needs to be adding players, not letting bodies go, and keeping Ntcham is paramount to his hopes this season. Hopefully the midfielder feels the same and wants to stay, because the club could have a problem on their hands if his head has been turned.