According to the latest reports from the Daily Record, Olivier Ntcham is wanted by French heavyweights Marseille. The midfielder had a poor season with Celtic recently as he struggled with injuries and form. Portuguese giants Porto have been linked with him for quite some time, but now it seems like they will have a competition to sign the French midfielder.
Marseille are reportedly set to make sweeping changes to their roster after they finished 30 points behind table-toppers Paris Saint Germain. They have appointed Andre Villas-Boas as their new manager and are set to back him in the transfer market.
The problem with Ntcham
The Hoops signed Ntcham from Manchester City for £4m, and the 23-year-old did exceedingly well in his first season. However, many would agree that he was nowhere as good in the last campaign. Given his talent, one can even claim that the Frenchman is the most gifted and technically qualified midfielder at Parkhead. But his head didn’t seem into the game whenever he was on the pitch last season.
Maybe it had to do with injuries as we never really know what a player goes through on the mental side when he is away from the game injured. Therefore Celtic will have a huge dilemma on whether to cash in on him this summer or give him another year to prove his worth.
The Bhoys are going to go through a major rebuilding phase and selling Ntcham would add more pressure on them to bring in his replacement. The form of Tom Rogic was also poor last season and Celtic need that dynamic midfielder in their roster. Ntcham can do that kind of job as he can don the hat of a playmaker as well as a midfield disruptor, but he hasn’t been in his element.
Porto were reportedly willing to pay £7m for him. It remains to be seen what offer Marseille would come up with. Ntcham could be tempted to play in his home country, and Marseille could have a slight edge. However, the fact that they finished fifth this season means that they are not going to play in the Champions League next season so that might go against them.
What should Lennon do with Ntcham?
We feel that if Ntcham wants to revive his career at the Celtic Park, then Lennon should give him another season to prove himself and if the player has already made his mind up to move somewhere else, then the club should look to sell him in the summer.
