Celtic are in the hunt to sign Maastricht defender Xavier Mbuyamba, according to Voetbal International.
The Dutch news outlet claim that Celtic, Porto, Bayern Munich and Liverpool have “above average” interest in the 17-year-old centre-back while Chelsea are also eyeing him up despite them facing a transfer ban.
It is understood that Mbyumba looks set to leave Maastricht once his contract with them expires at the end of the season.
The 6ft 5 colossus made 11 league appearances for the Dutch second-tier club this season.
Good move for Celtic?
Mbuyamba certainly seems like the kind of player that Celtic should be trying to sign, simply based on the clubs that are in pursuit of the young Dutch defender.
He is only 17-years-old but has started to make an impression in the Netherlands and to be one the radar of two of the clubs that finish in the top-four of the Premier League this season, as well as Bayern Munich, says all you need to know about his potential.
Celtic should definitely try to sign Mbuyamba in the summer.
Their defence could do with some improvement and even though he might not be quite ready for first team football in the Scottish Premiership yet, his encouraging displays for Maastricht this season suggest it won’t be long before he is.
This is Futbol rating 8/10
Likely to happen?
Celtic will be very fortunate to sign Mbuyamba with clubs like Liverpool, Chelsea and Bayern eyeing him up.
The Dutch teenager could see Celtic Park as a place where he could earn more first team football and maybe follow in the footsteps of Virgil van Dijk, who joined the Hoops from Groningen before going on to play for Southampton and Liverpool.
This is Futbol rating 2/10