It is no secret that Celtic are set to part ways with Olivier Ntcham, and according to the Daily Record, the Frenchman is closing in on a move to AEK Athens, who have offered him wages in the region of £1m a year. There’s been interest from the Turkish Super Lig side Sivasspor; however, the 25-year-old is likely to ply his trade in Greece following advanced talks with the Super League side.
The catastrophe continues at Parkhead as the Hoops are yet to find Neil Lennon’s successor. The Northern Irishman left his role earlier this year, and the club have been forced to opt for a Plan B (after failing to convince Eddie Howe) and have now appointed Ange Postecoglou as the new Celtic boss.
Although the Bhoys have the option to extend Ntcham’s contract for a year, the player is likely to be relieved from those complications with no future at Celtic Park. This would help the Glasgow giants clear the wage bill with several exits on the cards. They are set to undergo a phase of transition, and it would take a herculean effort to turn things around within a few months.
What Went Wrong For Ntcham Despite Instant Success
The midfielder was roped in from Manchester City for £4.5m back in the summer of 2017. He flourished his game under then-boss Brendan Rodgers and soon earned a starting status in the middle of the park. However, the scenario altered a bit after Rodgers’ exit, and the player did not hide his frustration when his transfer to Porto did not materialise.
He was still making appearances for the Hoops before Marseille offered him an escape route back in the winter window. His return to France caused mayhem at the Phocéens camp with manager André Villas-Boas offering his resignation for not being consulted before the deal. A dreadful loan ended in disappointment with six appearances, and the Ligue 1 heavyweights decided not to make the move permanent for obvious reasons.
Why Celtic Won’t Miss Him Much
While Ismaila Soro is tipped to play a key role in midfield following Scott Brown’s departure, the emergence of David Turnbull is a sigh of relief, thanks to his creative spark from behind the frontline. A reunion with Postecoglou might see Tom Rogic regaining the lost charm, whereas the experience of Callum McGregor makes them well-equipped in the centre of the pitch.
Celtic have also roped in Liam Shaw (from Sheffield Wednesday) in a pre-contract agreement, and Olivier Ntcham’s egress should not make much difference. They should rather focus on finding able alternatives of Kristoffer Ajer and Odsonne Edouard amid rumours of a summer exit.
