Sources: Celtic star agrees loan-to-buy move as terms finalised

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Published on:

01 Feb 2021, 8:18 am

Olivier Ntcham has agreed to join Marseille on loan from Celtic, Football Insider understands.

This site revealed earlier today that the French club were in pole position to land the 24-year-old ahead of tonight's 11pm transfer deadline.

A recruitment source has told Football Insider that a deal has been agreed and it is expected to include an option to buy at the end of the season.

Ntcham is keen to return to his native France having fallen down the pecking order at Parkhead in recent months.

He has made 23 appearances for the Hoops this season but has not started a league game since October.

Football Insider revealed earlier this month that the former France Under-21 had been given the green light to leave the club in this window.

Ntcham is deemed surplus to requirements by Bhoys boss Neil Lennon, following the rise of midfield duo David Turnbull and Ismaila Soro.

The centre-midfielder entered the final 18 months of his Celtic contract over the festive period and subsequently, the Glasgow giants slashed his price tag to just £7million.

A £4.5million signing from Manchester City in July 2017, Ntcham has made 147 appearances for the Hoops and weighed in with 24 goals and 13 assists.