Celtic FC casting eyes over Watford player - but there's one big transfer obstacle | OneFootball

Celtic are interested in Watford's Othmane Maamma after he starred for Morocco when they recently won the U20 World Cup.

Celtic are keeping tabs on highly-rated Watford attacker Othmane Maamma after his impressive displays at the recent U20 World Cup with Morocco.

It was a memorable tournament for the Atlas Cubs, as they beat Argentina in the final last month to claim the trophy after overcoming some top sides along the way.

Whilst it was a real team effort, Maamma was outstanding, and his performances saw him named as the best player at the U20 World Cup as he scooped the Golden Ball. The former Montpellier attacker scored once and laid on a further four assists as Morocco defeated the likes of Spain, Brazil, France and then Argentina in the final en-route to clinching glory.

Celtic are watching Othmane Maamma ahead of potential transfer move

As you would expect, that has put Maamma on the radar of plenty of clubs, and 67 Hail Hail has revealed that Celtic are monitoring Maamma.

They explain that the Scottish champions had scouts at the U20 World Cup who were very impressed with the 20-year-old.

However, it is stated that there’s no suggestion that a move is imminent, and there is an understanding that a deal will be very difficult, as Maamma only joined Watford from Montpellier in the summer.

He signed a four-year contract at Vicarage Road, so the Championship side will be under no pressure to cash in on the exciting talent in the next few windows.

Watford will hope to keep Othmane Maamma for a long time

It was inevitable that there would be interest in Maamma, as the reality is that some huge clubs would have had scouts at the U20 World Cup, and he was the best player for the team that won the tournament.

So, he will have caught the eye, and Celtic are the latest club to be credited with an interest, but the crucial factor, from Watford’s perspective, is that they don’t need to sell.

There’s a lot of excitement around the club about Maamma, but the club have been careful in how they have integrated him into the first-team, and with the U20 World Cup having taken place mid-season, many Hornets supporters are yet to see what the hype is all about - at least at club level.

But, that’s sure to change over the coming weeks and months, as Javi Gracia has used Maamma from the bench in the past two games, and he will hope to have a more influential role as we approach a critical part of the campaign.

Ultimately, Watford signed Maamma in the summer with the long-term in mind, so whilst there may be a lot of interest, they will expect his immediate concern is trying to help the club back to the Premier League.

You do feel that, despite his prodigious talent and recent World Cup showings, clubs may be waiting for Maamma to light up the Championship - which he is more than capable of doing in due course - before plotting a serious move to lure him away from Vicarage Road.