Celtic have moved a step closer to adding Toulouse defender Christopher Jullien to their ranks. The 6ft 5in centre-back has reportedly agreed to sign for the club after Celtic had a bid accepted for his services.
The Daily Record report that Celtic and Toulouse have agreed a deal worth up to £8million for the 26-year-old who would bolster the club’s depleted backline.
The Record also say that Hoops boss Neil Lennon was in France earlier this week as part of the negotiations.
Jullien could be Boyata’s replacment
Celtic would be making a massive statement if they splashed out the reported £8million on the former France youth international. He would become our second most expensive player, after his former teammate Odsonne Edouard, and show we really mean business.
The defender is still relatively young at 26 but has also played over 100 games for the Ligue 1 side in recent years. His style of play looks well suited to the Scottish game while he would also possess an ability to handle himself in Europe.
Some Celtic fans may suggest that the club’s willingness to spend big stems from an awareness that we’ll sell this summer. Olivier Ntcham, Kieran Tierney and Callum McGregor have all been rumoured as potential departures although the club is yet to accept a bid for any of the three.
Not many fans will have a problem with the sales providing two conditions are met. The club must not sell on the cheap, and they must get an adequate replacement in. If Jullien is seen as a direct replacement for Dedryck Boyata then that looks like good business.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
