Celtic Eyeing Yves Bissouma for Midfield Reinforcement

Celtic are weighing up a move for former Tottenham midfielder Yves Bissouma as Martin O’Neill searches for a powerful addition to his engine room.

The 29-year-old is a free agent after leaving Spurs, a status that instantly makes him one of the most intriguing late-window options on the market for clubs who need ready-made experience. Celtic are among them.

Midfield rethink after LASK collapse

O’Neill’s side are still nursing the bruises from their Champions League exit to LASK, a collapse in Austria that brutally exposed the weakness at the heart of their midfield. Celtic struggled to get a grip of the game, failed to control the tempo and were repeatedly overrun between the lines.

That is precisely the area where Bissouma built his reputation in the Premier League. At Brighton and later at Tottenham, the Mali international became known for snapping into tackles, pinching back possession and then driving through pressure with the ball at his feet. He breaks up play. He carries his team up the pitch. He gives a platform.

For a Celtic side that looked short of presence and personality in that LASK defeat, those attributes are hard to ignore.

Ajax and Başakşehir in the hunt

Celtic, though, are not alone.

Journalist Lassana Camara reports that the Glasgow club are “closely following” Bissouma’s situation, but they are part of a crowded field. Ajax have entered the race, while İstanbul Başakşehir are also monitoring the midfielder.

Camara outlines the picture: Ajax have reportedly signalled their interest and want to bring Bissouma to the Netherlands. In Turkey, İstanbul Başakşehir FK are attracted by his profile. In Scotland, Celtic are tracking developments as the window ticks towards its close.

After several seasons in the Premier League, Bissouma now stands at a crossroads. A new challenge in Europe awaits; the only question is where.

The coming hours, as Camara puts it, should finally reveal which club wins the fight for his next chapter.