Celtic FC can use midfielder Olivier Ntcham in a swap deal to keep not one but two players at the club next season, that’s according to Alan Hutton.
Ntcham is wanted by EPL side Southampton FC and manager Neil Lennon might use the midfielder to sign Fraser Forster and Mohamed Elyounoussi both of whom are on loan from the Saints.
Hutton told Football Insider: “It’s a big price tag but I think they’re playing the game well, the obviously know they want a couple of players from Southampton so if they can up the value for Ntcham it might make the deal a little bit easier to get the players they want.
“I understand what they’re doing, clubs always want the highest price for their player and they’ll probably meet somewhere else
“Obviously it opens up the door for Forster and Elyounoussi, they could be part of this deal. There’s a whole host of variables in that deal so it could be a good thing for Celtic and obviously they want to bring players in from Southampton so it could be a good bargaining chip.
“I’m sure some sort of deal could be thrashed out.”
Should Lennon send Olivier Ntcham to Southampton?
It’s no secret that Celtic want to sign Forster in a permanent deal and as per the latest reports, the Bhoys also want to keep winger Mohamed Elyounoussi next season.
And while Southampton might not be too eager to let both their loanees stay in Scotland but if they are offered Olivier Ntcham in exchange then the Premier League side might very well have a change of heart.
The midfielder has featured quite a lot for Celtic during the 2019-20 season but over the past couple of weeks, there have been rumours that the Park Head outfit might be willing to listen to offers for the 24-year-old.
Southampton are expected to quote around £9 million for Elyounoussi and another £10 million for Fraser Forster which is a really steep price for the Premiership side. And maybe this is why Neil Lennon might use Olivier Ntcham to sweeten the deal.
