If a report from Homme Du Match (as quoted by the Daily Record) is believed to be true, Kevin N’Doram has emerged as a potential summer target for Celtic. The champions of Scotland are keen on bolstering the squad ahead of the upcoming campaign and the Metz midfield star has been identified as a feasible option in the wake of his side’s relegation from Ligue 1.
An improved coefficient for Scottish sides has earned Celtic a direct entry into the group stages of the Champions League. Despite their sheer success in domestic competitions, the Hoops failed miserably in Europe under Ange Postecoglou.
They got eliminated from the Champions League qualifiers, and therefore, experienced a Europa League demotion. A finish behind Bayer Leverkusen and Real Betis in the group stage saw them being relegated to the Europa Conference League knockout round, but a dreadful display against Bodø/Glimt resulted in a humiliating exit from this third-tier European competition.
N’Doram, 26, progressed through the youth ranks of Monaco before making his league debut back in August 2016. However, his minutes were limited with the Monégasques and a fee of €4m was eventually agreed with Metz following an impressive loan stint during the 2019-20 season.
Although he missed months of football over the past couple of years due to persistent injury problems, 19 league appearances this term suggest his ability to fit in as a sporadic squad member recovering from fitness constraints. The former France U21 international is valued at around £2m – a minuscule amount that should be invested by the Celts to strengthen themselves in the middle of the park.
Why Celtic Must Bolster The Midfield
Celtic are well equipped in midfield but, at the same time, have parted ways with two of their most experienced stars, Tom Rogic and Nir Bitton. Ismaila Soro, already an outcast, is expected to find a new suitor prior to the upcoming campaign, whereas the likes of Ewan Henderson and Liam Shaw should spend more time on loan before staking a claim in Postecoglou’s first-team plans. Out of favour James McCarthy has fallen down the pecking order, also the Japan international Yosuke Ideguchi failed to make an instant impact, unlike his fellow countrymen Reo Hatate, Kyogo Furuhashi and Daizen Maeda.
Skipper Callum McGregor has been ever-present as the deep-lying playmaker and the addition of N’Doram should add depth as well as quality in terms of marshalling the backline and scripting attacking transitions. Celtic should also opt for a new ‘number 8’ to challenge and cover Matt O’Riley and Hatate, but a move for the Frenchman must be prioritized which could prove to be yet another shrewd piece of transfer business.
