Celtic-linked Ligue 2 striker Alexandre Mendy has already stated that he’ll be staying with Caen next season despite the recent speculation.
French outlet L’Equipe today reported that the Hoops had seen an offer of €3m [£2.5m] rejected for the striker’s services. It did state, however, that his club would be open to letting him depart this summer for a greater fee.
Earlier this year, the player’s agent Yacine Ayad stated that he wouldn’t be going anywhere and that he would remain with the Ligue 2 club next season. [Le10Sport].
And it turns out the player himself isn’t exactly itching to experience something different himself. Speaking less than a fortnight ago, Mendy said the following as quoted by Ouest-France:
“If he says so, it is [true]. I cannot guarantee it 100% because anything can happen in football. But I’m looking for stability. I’m happy here with a good staff, a good team, in a beautiful region, a beautiful city.
“I feel good and I signed a 4-year contract, so I have two left. I have a little one who will be born in Caen between July and August. I am very happy.”
Alexandre Mendy settled with Caen – do Celtic need another centre-forward?
Sure, you can never tell what difference the carrot of UCL football can have on players. Especially one currently playing in Ligue 2. Despite vast Ligue 1 experience with the likes of Nice, Bordeaux, and Guingamp respectively, he hasn’t ever tasted European football proper.
However, Mendy states that he’s looking for stability. Particularly taking into account his family situation, it could be extremely difficult to lure the 28-year-old at this stage of his career.
But this link opens up a wider question regardless – do we even need to sign another striker this summer? Kyogo isn’t going anywhere and neither is Giorgos Giakoumakis. We still have Daizen Maeda who can slot in there if necessary too.
If we’re sinking several million into a deal to land another centre-forward, you struggle to see where they’re fitting in. After all, Ange Postecoglou likes to go with one up top. It would be tough to keep Kyogo, Giakoumakis, and a third option happy throughout the campaign.
There are other priority areas Celtic could do with strengthening in. The Athletic, for example, report that the Hoops are eyeing up a left-back, a centre-back, and a right-winger this summer. That sounds a lot more in line with the options we should be looking out for.
Mendy appears happy where he is at the moment. Caen, meanwhile, are under no pressure to sell their top scorer either [ESPN]. Under contract until 2024, this looks like a move that could get pricy very quickly.
In other news, Rivals in laughable meltdown as Celtic dominate PFA nominations
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