Celtic Eye Yves Bissouma Amid Midfield Rebuild

Celtic are weighing up a move for former Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma as Martin O’Neill hunts for steel and control in the middle of the park.

The 29-year-old is on the market as a free agent after leaving Spurs, a status that instantly makes him a live option for the Glasgow club as they reassess their midfield after a bruising few weeks.

Midfield rebuild after LASK collapse

Bissouma carries a hefty Premier League pedigree from his time at Tottenham and previously in England, built on his knack for winning the ball back and driving through pressure with it at his feet. He breaks play up, then breaks lines. That profile suddenly looks very appealing at Celtic Park.

O’Neill’s side were overrun in their disastrous Champions League exit to LASK, a collapse in Austria that exposed a soft centre and a lack of authority in midfield when the pressure rose. It is exactly the area the manager is expected to address before the window shuts.

Bissouma would not walk into a clear run at Celtic, though.

Ajax and Başakşehir in the race

Journalist Lassana Camara reports that Celtic are “closely following” Bissouma’s situation, but they are not alone. Ajax and İstanbul Başakşehir are also tracking the Mali international as the clock ticks on the transfer window.

Camara’s report outlines how Ajax Amsterdam have entered the race and are keen to bring the midfielder to the Netherlands, while İstanbul Başakşehir FK have identified him as a target in Turkey. Celtic Glasgow, he adds, are monitoring developments from Scotland.

After several seasons in the Premier League, Bissouma stands on the brink of a fresh European challenge. With interest building on three fronts and the window edging towards its close, the next few hours should finally reveal where he chooses to restart his career.