Revealed: Southampton line up offer to beat West Brom to playmaker signing

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Published on:

23 Sep 2020, 1:30 am

Southampton are working on beating West Brom to the capture of Celtic star Olivier Ntcham this window, Football Insider has learned.

The Saints have a longstanding interest in the French playmaker and have been keeping close tabs on his situation.

A recruitment source has told Football Insider that Southampton, West Brom, Marseille and Lyon are trying to land Ntcham before the 5 October cut-off.

All four clubs have made enquiries about what it would take for Celtic to let the former Man City man go.

Southampton are keen to bolster their midfield after losing Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to Tottenham during the summer.

It is a position also identified as pivotal by West Brom in the final 11 days of the window after losing their opening two Premier League matches.

Football Insider revealed earlier this year that the Scottish champions value Ntcham at around £12million, nearly three times what they paid for him in 2017.

The player's suitors have baulked at the asking price but are lining up potential offers for him as he has not nailed down a regular place at Parkhead.

Ntcham has made nine appearances for Celtic this season, five of which have been in the starting XI.

In Lennon's favoured 3-5-2 formation, Ntcham started the weekend 3-2 win over Livingston in a central playmaking role.

He was used almost solely in central midfield alongside Scott Brown in his first season and has subsequently played in more advanced positions.

Ntcham has made 132 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops, scoring 23 goals and supplying 13 assists.

The former France Under-21 international has two years remaining on his Hoops contract.

In other news, West Brom have been told to sign "brilliant" Chelsea attacker.

West Bromwich Albion

Southampton

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