Southampton vye to snatch £12m midfielder from West Brom’s grasp
Southampton are reportedly adding the final touches on a bid for Celtic midfielder Olivier Ntcham, hoping to beat off competition from the likes of West Brom for his signature.
TEAMtalk revealed in August that the Frenchman is on the the Saints’ radar as they look to bolster their midfield.
According to Football Insider, he is valued at £12million by Celtic, who want to recuperate funds after being knocked out of the Champions League qualifiers.
The source adds that West Brom, Marseille and Lyon have also registered their interest in the 24-year-old, who netted eight times and provided four assists in 38 games last season.
However, Southampton are reportedly ready to revisit their interest in Ntcham and are looking to beat their Premier League rivals to his signature.
Indeed, Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has been searching for a replacement in central midfield for Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.
The Denmark international left for Tottenham earlier this year.
Following a two-year spell on loan at Italian outfit Genoa, Ntcham arrived at Celtic Park from Manchester City for £4.5 million in 2017.
He has lifted three Premiership titles with the Bhoys, making 132 appearances and scoring 23 times.
The midfielder has 18 France Under-21 caps but is yet to receive a call-up for the senior squad.
Lazio eye Hoedt recapture
Meanwhile, Voetbal International (via Football Oranje) reports that Serie A club Lazio are interested in re-signing Saints defender Wesley Hoedt.
The 26-year-old left I Biancocelesti for Southampton in 2017 but has not made an appearance for the first team since November 2018.
Indeed, he was loaned out to Belgian side Royal Antwerp last season.
The centre-half played 61 games for Lazio prior to his departure and now his former club would reportedly like to welcome him back on loan initially with the option to buy.
Reports elsewhere claim Lazio are also considering a move for Arsenal’s Shkodran Mustafi.