Celtic could be planning another raid on Ligue 1, with Rennes attacker Olivier Thomert on Tony Mowbray’s radar for the January transfer window. Marc-Antoine Fortune and Landry N’Guemo have already been recruited from the French League and Celtic are looking to make it a Gallic trio in the new year.
Mowbray is said to have had the forward watched at the weekend as Rennes drew 0-0 at Lille. Scouts from Blackburn, Everton, Portsmouth, Tottenham also attended the match with three players rumoured to be on the move.
Rennes defender Rod Fanni has been linked with a move to the UK in recent months, while Lille sensation Eden Hazard has already declared his intention to move to a top English club. However, both players may be beyond Celtic’s reach and a move for Thomert would represent value.
According to a report in the Scottish Sun, a bid of £800,000 would be enough to persuade Rennes to cash in on the attacker. Thomert has apparently fallen out with coach Frederic Antonetti and, with his contract due to expire in the summer, sees no future at the club.
The news comes at a time when fresh rumours have arisen surrounding the future of Aiden McGeady and Celtic would no doubt consider it good business to draft in a replacement for a fraction of the price they would command if they were to sell the Republic of Ireland international. Even if McGeady stays at Parkhead, Thomert could bolster Mowbray’s attack for their SPL campaign.
Thomert, like Fortune, is a forward player who is physically strong but has not been a prolific scorer. However, the player is known for his work-rate and willingness to contribute in all areas of the pitch.
With Rennes having failed to qualify for Europe this season, Thomert would also be available to play in the Europa League should Celtic make their way through the group stages.
With a crucial game against Hamburg in the competition on Thursday night, Mowbray’s side have been given a boost by news of further injuries to Hamburg’s squad. The German outfit are already missing a number of players for the trip to Glasgow, including strikers Mladen Petric and Jose Paolo Guererro and have now suffered a further blow with Dutch winger Romeo Castelen ruled out of the game.
