Celtic Set To Rival Brentford For This French Talent: Why Rodgers Must Make The Call | OneFootball

If a report from Africa Foot is true, Celtic is keeping close tabs on Moussa Soumano ahead of a potential summer swoop. English outfits Brentford, Leeds United, and Leicester City, along with Serie A side Atalanta Bergamo, are also in the mix for the Ajaccio attacker.

The 19-year-old Frenchman progressed through the academy ranks of Red Star before joining the Bears on a free transfer. His impressive scoring stint for the reserves earned him a first-team status since January 2023. Although the Corsica side suffered relegation by the end of the 2022-23 campaign, the teenage sensation cemented a starting role in Ligue 2 from next season onwards. So far, he has scored 5 goals and laid on 2 more in 66 senior appearances [stats via Transfermarket], exhibiting his flexibility across the frontline.

Meanwhile, Ajaccio are once again heading towards a bottom-half finish with no hope for a top-flight promotion. Clubs are circling like vultures for their emerging forward, and it is time for Soumano to aim for greater glory by plying his trade elsewhere.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – MARCH 16: Brendan Rodgers, Manager of Celtic, acknowledges the fans as he arrives at the stadium before the William Hill Premiership match between Celtic FC and Rangers FC at Celtic Park on March 16, 2025 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

Brentford are currently leading the pack and have offered a fee of around €3m to secure his services. The Bees have explored the French market over the years and snapped up players like Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa, who have been lethal upfront under Thomas Frank’s tutelage. Soumano could be an exciting value-for-money signing as he fits in the club’s ‘moneyball’ approach, and the Hoops, therefore, must step up the chase to tie him down in due time.

Why Celtic Would Benefit From Soumano’s Signing

Celtic are well-equipped upfront as they brought Jota back to Parkhead from Rennes, with hitman Kyogo Furuhashi moving in the opposite direction. Daizen Maeda has been exquisite since being shifted centrally as a ‘number 9′, but the wide attacking role suits the Japanese for his high work ethic and link-up football. Adam Idah has not impressed enough while spearheading the attack, whereas the likes of Nicolas Kuhn, James Forrest and Yang Hyun-Jun are considered wing-forwards.

Soumano has featured at times from the left-hand flank as an inverted winger, but he is primarily viewed as a centre-forward for his mobility and movement high up the pitch. The youngster is of Malian descent, and the Eagles’ boss, Tom Saintfiet, is also monitoring him for a potential international call-up.

Although Brentford’s offer is more fascinating for the charisma and magnetism of the Premier League, a move north of the border would assure more minutes, along with the temptation of Champions League football. His contract at Ajjacio is set to expire in the summer of 2026, and the club must maximise the profit from Soumano’s sale in the upcoming window over losing him for nothing next year.