Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
Sport
Mark Pirie

Olivier Ntcham heading back to Celtic as Marseille 'target' replacements amid loan nightmare

Marseille are reportedly already looking for replacements for Celtic loanee Olivier Ntcham after a disastrous Ligue 1 switch.

The midfielder left the Scottish Premiership for the French giants in the winter transfer window with a £4.5m option to buy in the summer.

However, the move has been a nightmare from almost the moment the 25-year-old put pen to paper on the deal.

Coach Andre Villas-Boas offered his resignation following the signing stating that he had told the club not to sign the Hoops star.

He has also struggled for game time at the Stade Veladrome and was hooked at half-time in a shock Coupe de France elimination at the hands of fourth tier minnows Canet Roussillon.

Ntcham has also been replaced at the break in rare league appearance against Lille and Nice under new boss Jorge Sampaoli.

Sampaoli now seems to have given up altogether on Ntcham as he was left on the bench during the win over Dijon.

Having struggled to win over the coaching staff, he hasn't faired much better with supporters as an old interview emerged when he admitted to supporting rivals Paris Saint-Germain.

Now reports in France and Turkey suggest that Galatasaray midfielder Gedson Fernandes is a target for Marseille.

Footmac claim if the negotiations are successful, the Portuguese playmaker will replace Ntcham "who should return to Celtic at the end of his loan."

Le10Sport state that Angelo Fulgini of Angers is being considered as a possible replacement.

With Eddie Howe expected to be appointed as Celtic boss and it appears he will have a decision to make over Ntcham in pre-season.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.