By Kieran Maguire

9th May, 2021 | 7:50pm

Ntcham could stay at Celtic after mega-money deal collapses - Kieran Maguire

The collapse of the £3billion French TV deal means Celtic may struggle to offload “mid-tier” players like Olivier Ntcham this summer. 

That is according to finance guru and Football Insider columnist Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively about the future of the 25-year-old midfielder.

Ntcham is currently on loan with Marseille but looks set to return to Glasgow at the end of the season after a torrid time in southern France.

The Frenchman’s contract expires in a little over 12 months and Football Insider understands that he has set his sights set on the exit door at Parkhead. 

But Maguire claims that he may not get his wish owing to the knock-on effect of the French TV deal collapse.

Supply is set to outstrip demand and the availability of alternative targets from France for ultra-cheap fees could mean Ntcham remains at Celtic.

“I think they are going to have to be pragmatic in terms of the asking price,” he told Football Insider correspondent Adam Williams.

“If we take a look at what Celtic have done historically, they have usually made one big sale and that has generated £10million, £15m or £20m.

“But the market for mid-tier players is going to be significantly impacted, especially with the collapse of the French TV deal.

“French clubs are going to have to accept whatever offer comes in, to a degree. They are desperate to make ends meet.

“It could mean Ntcham ends up staying at Celtic.”

Last week, interim manager John Kennedy seemed to open the door to Ntcham staying at Celtic.

Quoted by the Sun, he said he could have a “big part” to play moving forward.

In other news, pundit claims Celtic may have already appointed new manager.