Celtic Keeping Tabs On This Ligue 1 Centre-back: Why They Must Step Up The Chase | OneFootball

If a recent report from French outlet L’Equipe is believed to be true, Celtic have identified Étienne Youte Kinkoue as one of their summer targets. But the Hoops are not alone in the hunt with Anderlecht from Belgium, Turkish giants Besiktas and a few German as well as English sides keeping close tabs on the Le Havre centre-back.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Burnley and Sheffield United from England, along with FC Köln from the Bundesliga, have shown genuine interest in the €5m-rated French youth international. Despite penning a new contract in September to extend his stay till next June, Kinkoue is open to a fresh challenge, having rejected a late €7m bid from Hoffenheim last summer.

The 23-year-old Les Bleus youngster spent his youth years with FC Trainel, FC Nogentais and Troyes before plying his trade abroad to join the esteemed academy set-up of Inter Milan. But he left Italy for Greece to secure a €500,000 move to Olympiacos a couple of years later. Kinkoue featured for their reserves in Super League Greece 2, before scripting a homecoming with then-Ligue 2 outfit Le Havre in January 2023.

EINDHOVEN, NETHERLANDS – AUGUST 18: Etienne Ludovic Youte Kinkoue of Inter embraces Goalkeeper, Giacomo Pozzer after he saves a penalty in the shoot out during The Otten Cup Final match between PSV Eindhoven and Internazionale or Inter Milan held at De Herdgang, the training ground & youth academy field of PSV Eindhoven on August 18, 2019 in Eindhoven, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Kinkoue eventually secured a regular role upon being promoted to Ligue 1 and has so far made 50 top-flight appearances for Le Club Doyen over the past two campaigns. However, the Normandy team must generate funds from player sales amid financial constraints, and therefore, would let him go reluctantly if the right offer arrives in due course.

Why Celtic Are Chasing The French Youngster

Celtic are not done yet in the summer window, even though they have bolstered their first-team squad by roping in Kieran Tierney, Benjamin Nygren, Ross Doohan, Callum Osmand, and Hayato Inamura. While Tierney is expected to reclaim his left-back spot, Doohan, the former Aberdeen goalkeeper, and the central defensive prospect Inamura have been brought in as bit-part options.

But the Hoops are also in the hunt for a new defender to challenge and cover Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales and Auston Trusty in the heart of the backline. Brendan Rodgers does not consider Inamura in his immediate plans, and the outcasts Maik Nawrocki, Gustaf Lagerbielke, and Stephen Welsh have either left or to part ways soon for regular gametime.

Although Famalicão centre-half Justin de Haas has been in their books, the profile of Kinkoue is far more fascinating, given his experience of the highest order. The asking fee for the Frenchman is quite affordable for the Bhoys, who must now step up the chase ahead of the other suitors.