Celtic are reportedly in the bidding for Rayo Vallecano defender Nobel Mendy.
A crucial rebuild for Martin O’Neill is yet to get underway, with the club yet to make a signing as we enter July.
A wave of incomings and outgoings are expected, and no position in O’Neill’s squad seems secure, with central defender Mendy now one of interest.
However, there is competition from major European clubs for the 21-year-old.
🤔 Do Celtic need to sign a centre-back this summer?
Celtic, Eintracht Frankfurt and Stuttgart vying for Nobel Mendy
According to leading Spanish football journalist Matteo Moretto of MARCA, Celtic, Eintracht Frankfurt and Stuttgart are all vying for the Senegal international.
His loan move from Real Betis to Rayo has just been made permanent for £3 million, but he is expected to move on instantly.
READ MORE: As World Cup stars return, Celtic’s window can’t keep moving at a snail’s pace
Left-footed and 6 ft 2 in, Mendy started most of their La Liga matches last season, but didn’t start a single match in their run to the Conference League final.
He made the loan move to the Madrid club last year after coming extremely close to a £3.5 million move to Russell Martin’s Rangers.
Mendy skipped training with Betis to travel for his Ibrox medical, but the deal collapsed after issues were flagged. Having previously rejected Rayo, he then returned to the table and signed for them on loan with an option to buy.
The exact nature of the medical problems aren’t clear, but the 21-year-old made it through the entirety of last season injury-free.
Of course, he wouldn’t be the first man to join Celtic after a failed medical at Ibrox; John Hartson did exactly that in 2001, and didn’t turn out too badly.
Mendy also made his debut for the Senegalese national team in March, but fell short of their squad for the ongoing World Cup.
He has also been linked with Everton, Benfica and Anderlecht.
🤦♂️ Still no sign of an agreement for either of these two Celtic favourites to stay…
The season ended on May 23rd 🗓️
Will Celtic sign a centre-back this summer?
On paper, Celtic don’t need a central defender unless they plan on moving one, or several, of their existing ones on.
Under O’Neill last season, Liam Scales and Auston Trusty have been the preferred pair for the vast majority of time, though Cameron Carter-Vickers was injured throughout his two interim spells.
Regardless, several central defenders are being linked this summer, primarily Poland international Oskar Wojcik.
The names of Zinedin Smajlovic, Michael Parker and Scott McKenna have also done the rounds.
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