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Glasgow Live
Glasgow Live
Sport
Alan Galindo

Celtic 'tracking' Xavier Mbuyamba but face competition for man compared to Virgil van Dijk

Xavier Mbuyamba is on the radar of Celtic but they face competition from England and abroad for his signature, according to a report.

The 21-year-old has widely been compared to former Hoops favourite and Liverpool superstar Virgil van Dijk by coaches and media in the Netherlands due to his similar playing style and has shone at current club FC Volendam this season.

Dutch giants Ajax and AZ Alkmaar are both said to be keen on the youth international but Sky Sports say Celtic are among a group of clubs keeping tabs on the defender. Ange Postecoglou will once again add to his ranks this summer as he bids to maintain his dominance over Rangers and make a splash in the Champions League.

READ MORE: Connor Goldson Rangers vs Celtic 'handball' handed Ref Watch treatment as Dermot Gallagher has say

Back in 2020 Chelsea signed the stopper after he left Barcelona's La Masia academy but he left to join his current side on a three-year deal last summer in the search of his big break through at first-team level.

The towering centre-back, under contract until 2025, has played 28 games this season and contributed with five goals.

His pedigree from his days at Barcelona and Chelsea has kept clubs sniffing around states the same report with the Scottish champions and English Championship outfit Watford part of that group.

Postecoglou currently has Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt as his first choice pairing. Yuki Kobayashi has been the back up option but will get a run until the end of the season due to Carter-Vickers' knee operation to get him back as quick as possible for next season.

Stephen Welsh is also on the books but he is one that could end up leaving in search of first team football after very limited opportunities this term.

FC Volendam are 14th in the Eredivisie with a five point cushion over the relegation play-off place with just two games to go. They come up against Go Ahead Eagles and Excelsior - directly below them - in the final fixtures of the campaign.

READ NEXT:

- Connor Goldson Rangers vs Celtic 'handball' handed Ref Watch treatment as Dermot Gallagher has say

- PFA Scotland awards in full as Celtic's Kyogo Furuhashi lands top prize with Jota also a winner

- Celtic third kit for 2023/24 season on sale as Adidas leak shirt online before official launch

- Kyogo Furuhashi lands Celtic treble at club awards as Matt O'Riley and Ben Summers also win prizes

- Celtic boss Ange Postecoglou reacts to PFA Manger of the Year prize as he hails 'collective effort'

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