Scottish side Celtic FC are currently in line to sign winger Jordon Ibe as a free agent during the upcoming transfer window – as per reports.
The 24-year-old is currently playing for Premier League side AFC Bournemouth but his contract at the club expires in the summer and the Cherries are not going to hand him a new deal.
And while talking to Football Insider, Noel Whelan has admitted that Celtic are the favourites to sign Jordon Ibe but the player will have to step forward and prove himself in Scotland.
On the possibility of Jordon Ibe moving to Celtic, Whelan said: “People will be working on recruitment behind the scenes.
“I am pretty sure he is a player that Neil Lennon can get the best out of. They did it with Scott Sinclair. He had a fantastic period there.
“They probably see him as a similar player but he needs to meet the expectations people had of him when he left Liverpool. He was a fantastic player but has never hit the heights that were expected from people.
“Celtic have managed to create a great environment to be around, a winning environment.
“He will feel wanted there but he needs to step into that role and prove a point if he makes the move. There is more in him so this is a really big decision for him.”
Will Jordon Ibe be the right fit at Celtic?
Bournemouth paid €18 million in order to sign Ibe from Liverpool in 2016 but over the past two seasons, the right-winger has been really poor for the Cherries.
Last campaign, Jordon Ibe managed to score and assist only two goals in the Premier League and this year, he has played in only two matches so far.
The forward is clearly out of touch which is why some pundits feel he will be nothing but a waste of time for Neil Lennon next season.
But getting a former Liverpool man as a free agent is surely worth the gamble more so since Maryan Shved is the only out and out right winger in the current Celtic squad.
All the other players who have been playing on the right side this season are either left-wingers or attacking midfielders by trade.
Yes, bringing Jordon Ibe in will be a big risk but if he can hit it off in Scotland then Celtic will surely receive a massive boost in defending their Premiership title next season.
