Celtic midfielder Olivier Ntcham will bag a £1m-per-year deal with AEK Athens should he leave Parkhead, the Scottish Sun reports.
Ntcham’s future remains up in the air with the Hoops still yet to decide whether to take up the final year in his contract. The Frenchman was frozen out last season and spent the second half of the campaign with Marseille in Ligue 1.
A poor time back in his homeland has lessened his stock. Now, a move to one of the top European leagues doesn’t look likely as he struggles to match his own personal ambitions.
Any move he makes now looks like a side-step, but AEK are willing to offer him a fresh start in Greece. The Sun claims that Ntcham would earn just over £19k-per-week if he decides to make the move.
The Daily Record, meanwhile, believes that the deal is dependent on whether Celtic decide to trigger his one-year extension. It appears that Athens aren’t willing to thrash out a transfer fee with the Hoops if we take up the option in Ntcham’s contract.
Olivier Ntcham to AEK Athens should be one man’s decision
The Sun believes that talks progressed well between Ntcham and Athens over the weekend. However, the decision should be in the hands of one man and one man only – the new Celtic manager.
Ange Postecoglou may see something in Ntcham that he wants to work with. He may believe that the player fits the style he wants to play at Celtic Park. Surely, then, any deal will be put off until Ange is officially in the door.
Yesterday it was reported that Postecoglou will have the final say on all transfer deals [Scottish Sun]. That will hopefully extend to Ntcham, even if he has a bit more freedom due to Celtic not yet making a decision on his contract.
It’s unclear as to how long Celtic have to make a decision here. But surely Ntcham would be more willing to hear the Hoops out if we want to keep him. Especially considering his move would hardly see him take a step up.
Regardless, it appears that something is on the table for him if he feels he can’t stay at Celtic any longer. Given what happened to him in France during the second half of last season, it could be ideal for him to find a fresh start.
But hopefully, that’s only confirmed after Postecoglou has taken a look at him.
In other news, this ex-Celtic defender has seen his value reportedly cut by £6m after a dismal season at Parkhead.
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