CELTIC are bracing themselves for a bid for Olivier Ntcham before the transfer window closes on Monday.
The dynamic French midfielder, who cost Brendan Rodgers £4.5million when he arrived from Manchester City in the summer of 2017, is wanted by two top-flight English teams, according to a report in the Daily Mail.
Southampton and West Ham are preparing late offers for the former Under-21 international who made 38 appearances – 13 as a substitute – for the champions last season.
Ntcham, 24, has been unable to hold down a permanent slot in the club’s engine room with players such as skipper Scott Brown, Callum McGregor, Ryan Christie and new Bhoy David Turnbull, bought for £3.25million from Motherwell last month, all in contention for a starting place.
The powerhouse is under contract until June 2022, but the Hoops can expect a move for him within the next six days.
Meanwhile, Spanish kid Rodrigo Riquelme, who has been linked with the Parkhead side in recent months, looks to be on the brink of agreeing a loan switch to Bournemouth.
The 20-year-old Atletico Madrid winger was on Neil Lennon’s radar as he looked to strengthen his positions on the flanks with Scott Sinclair, Lewis Morgan and Jonny Hayes leaving the club this year while Marian Shved has moved on a temporary transfer to Belgium.
Reading also liked the look of Riquelme, but the newly-relegated south coast side appear to be frontrunners for his signature.
