Celtic linked with AS Monaco’s highly-rated left-back Kassoum Ouattara

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The Celtic Star

·31 juillet 2025

Celtic linked with AS Monaco’s highly-rated left-back Kassoum Ouattara

Celtic have been linked with AS Monaco’s highly-rated left-back Kassoum Ouattara, according to a report from French outlet Foot Mercato but competition is pretty fierce on this one.

Here’s what Foot Mercato had to say on this transfer rumour –

Kassoum Ouattara of AS Monaco puts a shot past Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Carlos Miguel but hits the post during the pre-season friendly match between Nottingham Forest and AS Monaco at SMH Group Stadium on July 19, 2025 in Chesterfield, England. (Photo by Ed Sykes/Getty Images

Vidéos OneFootball

‘Arriving in November 2023 as a medical joker after Caio Henrique’s serious injury, Kassoum Ouattara was able to develop at AS Monaco despite inevitably fierce competition. Having become a French Under-21 international, the player trained at Amiens also played in the friendly matches against Torino this preseason. Torino is one of the clubs interested in signing the 20-year-old Frenchman.

The Italian interest has been going on for several weeks now, but the club is far from being the only one interested. The two Glasgow clubs, (the)Rangers and Celtic, as well as Augsburg, PSV Eindhoven, Toulouse, and Metz have all contacted the player’s agent to express their interest. Monaco is not particularly keen on letting him leave on loan and is instead demanding a transfer. As for the player, he will choose the sporting project that will give him the most playing time.’

Kassoum Ouattara of AS Monaco with Joao Rego of SL Benfica in action during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between SL Benfica and AS Monaco at Estadio da Luz on February 18, 2025 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

The story has garnered more attention after it was retweeted by respected French journalist Santi Aouna — a journalist with a following of over 358,000 social media— which perhaps adds some weight to the speculation.

‘Metz have contacted Kassoum Ouattara’s agent for a loan with a purchase option Monaco wants a transfer for now The French youth international is aiming for a sporting project that will provide him with maximum playing time’

Celtic’s interest somewhat predictably comes alongside that of theRangers, as well as clubs such as PSV Eindhoven, FC Augsburg, Toulouse, and Metz who have all reportedly made contact with the player’s agent. However, anytime Celtic are linked alongside the Ibrox club you are always concerned the names are being dropped to drum up more urgency from a preferred club or to bump up a transfer fee.

Monaco, for their part, are believed to be holding out for a permanent transfer rather than a loan deal. Metz, for example, have proposed a loan with an option to buy, but apparently this doesn’t currently appeal to the Ligue 1 side.

As for Ouattara himself, the defender is understood to be prioritising a move that will guarantee regular first-team football — which could pose a challenge for Celtic, given the current squad makeup.

Hayato Inamura of Celtic FC in action during Como Cup match played between Al-Ahli and Celtic FCat Giuseppe Sinigaglia Stadium on July 26, 2025 in Como, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)

While Celtic have already bolstered the left-back position with the summer signing of Japanese prospect Hayato Inamura — who has impressed in preseason — bringing in another young but more physically mature option like Ouattara could provide valuable depth.

This would be especially relevant due to Kieran Tierney’s likely game management this season and he may require experienced competition and/or injury cover.

Celtic player Kieran Tierney iin action during the pre-season friendly match between Celtic and Newcastle United at Celtic Park on July 19, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

That said, given the volume of clubs reportedly circling, and the player’s desire for consistent minutes on the pitch, Celtic may need to present a compelling argument to have a realistic shot at landing Ouattara.

With both Glasgow clubs linked, and no clear frontrunner at this point, this story is definitely one to watch — though perhaps with a pinch of salt until firmer developments emerge.

Still, for Celtic fans, the link to a rising French international full-back, with top-flight and youth national team experience, is an intriguing one, and a sign the club may be continuing to look at smart, long-term squad reinforcements.

Niall J

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