According to the latest reports from Durch media outlet Voetbal International, Celtic are one of the clubs that are interested in signing 17-year-old defender Xavier Mbuyamba. The player currently plies his trade for Dutch second division outfit MVV Maastricht. Heavyweight clubs like FC Porto, Bayern Munich and Liverpool, are also linked with a move for him. From closer home, Dutch outfits like Heracles Almelo and FC Groningen are interested in the defender.
Why might Chelsea be the favourites to sign him?
However, Mbuyamba might be close to moving to Chelsea as the defender is set to train with their youth players in the coming days. His representative Carlos Barros indicated that Chelsea has put in the most attractive offer for the young defender. Barros said, “It seems as if the Dutch clubs have been sleeping a little, though it may also be because Xavier has been sitting on the bench for a while because he did not immediately accept MVV’s offer.
“Chelsea currently have the best papers. We now have to wait and see what his feeling is at that club; we are not quite sure yet what we are going to do. His development is central to that choice.”
Barros has confirmed about Chelsea’s interest so other clubs might need to pick up the pace if they want Mbuyamba in the upcoming summer transfer window.
When such heavyweight clubs are interested, then the player must be doing something right. The defender made 11 appearances for his side in the Dutch second division, and at the age of 17, he had a decent outing for MVV as he didn’t look out of place.
Why Celtic might be a better destination than Chelsea for the youngster?
Chelsea seems to be favourites to get his signature right now, but we have seen how youngsters have failed to get chances at the London based club. The Blues are notoriously known for acquiring a lot of young players and sending them on loans year after year without even giving them a chance to prove themselves at Stamford Bridge. We feel that Mbuyamba might be lost in that pool of loan players and that is where a club like Celtic might be a better option for his overall development.
However, the Blues are a heavyweight side, and it would be tough to ignore an offer from them. Celtic have had a knack of picking up young talents from unknown clubs which have bright them rich dividends in the future. Mbuyamba seems like a strong centre half who can be a decent bet for the club in a few years. However, Chelsea should be the favourites to sign him after the recent revelation from the player’s representative.
