CELTIC knocked back TWO bids for Olivier Ntcham just before the midnight transfer deadline shutdown.
The French midfielder, who cost £4.5million when he joined from Manchester City in June 2017, was wanted by two clubs in his homeland, according to local media outlet RMCSport.
Bordeaux, who were also linked with the 24-year-old dynamo 14 months ago, and Brest are both reported as making dramatic late moves for the former France Under-21 ace. The latter are said to have made a formal proposal for the player.
The champions, aiming at the historic tenth successive title in a monumental season for the club, were not even tempted to consider either offer.
The last day of wheeling dealing started with speculation surrounding Ntcham’s compatriot Odsonne Edouard as well as Scotland international playmaker Ryan Christie and Norwegian defender Kistoffer Ajer.
When the window closed all four of the so-called targets were still at the club with the Hoops hierarchy determined to make sure boss Neil Lennon had the strongest possible squad to take the club forward on the European and domestic fronts.
The only newcomer was AC Milan’s Uruguayan left-back Diego Laxalt on a season-long loan to provide much-needed competition to Greg Taylor in the No.3 position, as CQN reported just before the deadline.
The club also wished 20-year-oldstriker Jack Aitchison good luck for the future after he agreed a three-year deal with Championship outfit Barnsley.
