Celtic are eyeing Algerian midfielder, ES Setif’s Ahmed Kendouci, according to a report in Algerian outlet Liberté.
However, ES Setif manager Nabil El-Kouki has sent a warning to his bosses, after the Algerian club missed out on the title last season.
Kendouci, a central midfielder, is 22 years old and carries a threat at both ends of the pitch. In his best season, the 20-21 campaign, he finished with 10 goals and 10 assists [Transfermarkt]. A versatile talent, Kendouci is best played in the middle, but he can play either deeper or as a 10. He can also be utilised on either wing, with 18 career appearances as a left midfielder.
After talks with Riley McGree reportedly broke down, Kendouci could be a player who can come in and provide a real boost in the midfield. However, ES Setif manager Nabil El-Kouki has sounded a warning to club chiefs.
El-Kouki said to his bosses [Liberté]: “I would just like to say that last year we missed the championship because of certain problems that I would not like to come back to. I [hope] this season the leaders had learned the lesson and that they wouldn’t make the same mistakes that can directly affect the course of the team.
“The leaders must imperatively concentrate on the team to accompany it and support it during the next [season].”
Celtic showing interesting ambition across a number of different markets; Ahmed Kendouci is another potentially ambitious move
Now, this would be an interesting signing. The Algerian market isn’t exactly one that we explore often, as a club. In fact, Celtic have never had an Algerian player on their books.
With Kendouchi and Nimes Olympiques winger Zinedine Ferhat, we’ve been linked to two in one window. It’s like the old idiom about waiting for a bus, if you’re an Algerian Celtic supporter.
With the strange situation around Riley McGree, Celtic are clearly looking in other areas for talent. And why not? Ismaila Soro hasn’t been the 20-21 version we’d seen before, James McCarthy has struggled for game-time, and while there are B Team options, some depth is surely needed.
That’s even with Yosuke Ideguchi and Reo Hatate coming in. Options are always welcome.
But it sounds as if – though the two things are not inextricably linked – ES Setif manager Nabil El-Kouki is in no mood to lose any more players. The side finished 2nd in last season’s Ligue Professionelle 1, and are 4th at the time of writing.
Whether a move materialises is unclear, but Celtic are looking beyond the parameters we’re used to in order to bolster the squad.
Read more: Report: Johnny Kenny arrives at Celtic with an injury; will be out for several weeks
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