FRENCH left-back Quentin Merlin, who has been linked with Celtic, has decided to remain at Nantes.
The Under-21 international defender was reported to have been on the champions’ wanted list.
However, there was NO chance the Hoops would have been willing to pay the £7million transfer fee which had been mentioned, as CQN reported over two weeks ago.
Merlin, who has represented France all the way through the youth ranks up to his present level, came through the academy ranks at the Ligue 1 club and has made 64 first-team appearances while being tipped for a step up to the full French squad in the near future.
HEAD BHOY…Greg Taylor attempts to clear as Kilmarnock’s Daniel Armstrong charges in.
Brendan Rodgers is said to be on the look-out for another No.3, despite having Greg Taylor and Argentinian Alexandro Bernabei challenging for the left-back slot.
Merlin, 21, signed a new deal last year until June 2026 and has now announced he will not be leaving in the transfer window, as stated in the Scottish Sun.
The back-four operator said: “It’s important to keep your head and not get turned by the transfer speculation.
“I feel I owe Nantes because last season I suffered with a big injury and I still have a lot to learn in football and at the club.
“I also know the Olympics are coming up and I would love to play for France in that. I did ask myself a question of whether I would have a better chance of doing that elsewhere.
“But I quickly came to my senses. I plan to play all this season with Nantes.”
