Celtic given huge boost in transfer pursuit of 23-year-old star as club chief admits they may have to sell at lower cost
'WE ARE LOSING MONEY' Celtic given huge boost in transfer pursuit of 23-year-old star as club chief admits they may have to sell at lower cost
CELTIC have been handed a boost in their potential pursuit of a young star on their transfer wishlist.
The Hoops have signed six players already this summer but Brendan Rodgers is still keen to add a few more.
Advertisement
1
Le Havre's French defender Etienne Youte (R) in action
Credit: AFP
One player who has reportedly been targeted is Le Havre defender Etienne Youte.
Earlier this month we told you how Celtic had joined the race for the 23-year-old centre-back.
The highly-rated French defender was previously on the books of Inter Milan and his future at Le Havre is up in the air, with the Ligue 1 side experiencing financial uncertainties.
Youte was a £10million target for West Ham and other clubs last year and at the start of this month, it was reported that Le Havre would accept £4.3m.
Advertisement
With the financial situation worsening and the player in the last year of his deal, they could go even LOWER than that.
West Ham could rekindle their interest and fellow English club Burnley are believed to be monitoring his situation.
And European sides such as Anderlecht and Besiktas are also keeping tabs.
Jean-Michel Roussier, club president, has admitted that Le Havre find themselves in a precarious position.
Advertisement
And it may force them into a sale at a lower price than they value the player.
He said: "We have to sell at a lower cost.
Former Celtic star Greg Taylor stuns PAOK team-mates as he belts out Abba tune for his initiation song
"We are a company that is losing money."
Youte played for Troyes at youth level then moved to Inter Milan where he made 48 appearances for their Under-19s side.
Advertisement
He then headed to Greece four years ago when he joined Olympiacos, but he only played for their B team.
Youte joined Le Havre in 2023 and has won nine caps for the French youth teams.
Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
29 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Alejandra Oliveras dead at 47: Six-time world champion boxer dubbed ‘real female Rocky' dies after suffering stroke
Tributes poured in for the Argentine boxing icon Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A SIX-times boxing world champion who described herself as 'a female Rocky but for real' has died aged just 47 a fortnight after suffering a stroke. Medics at a hospital in the Argentinian city of Santa Fe where Alejandra Oliveras had been admitted on July 14 confirmed the sad news overnight. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Six-time Argentine boxer world champion Alejandra 'Locomotora' Oliveras has died after suffering a stroke Credit: AFP 2 Three days of mourning have been announced following her tragic passing Credit: AFP Three days of mourning have been declared in the province of Santa Fe, where Alejandra moved into politics after hanging up her gloves in 2017. Argentine president Javier Milei, whose right-wing politics the former boxer championed, was among those who paid tribute to her. Referencing Alejandra by her famous nickname La Locomotora, which in English translates as Locomotive, he said alongside a photo of them together: 'Goodbye Locomotora. 'Always on the correct side, rest in peace.' Alejandra competed from 2006 to 2015, gaining a place in the Guinness Book of World Records with different world titles in different categories and federations. She won six world titles, including the WBC female super bantamweight title from 2006 to 2008; the WBA female lightweight title from 2011 to 2012; the WBO female featherweight title from 2012 to 2013; and the WBC super lightweight title from 2013 to 2014. She retired with 33 professional wins, two draws and three defeats. During the Covid pandemic Oliveras, who had 1.6 million Instagram followers, intensified her philanthropic work by creating an organisation called Team Locomotora which engaged in social work and collected food to support soup kitchens. She also gave low-income youngsters the chance to explore the sport she used to practice professionally by running several boxing schools. Alejandra, a teenage mum who turned to boxing in her native north-west Argentinian province of Jujuy to escape poverty and domestic violence, switched her focus to politics in 2021 when she made a failed attempt to become an MP with right-wing party called UNITE. In 2024, she was appointed to head up a programme designed to prevent violence in youth sport after joining the electoral team of a then-candidate to the Argentine presidency. The stroke she suffered had left her paralysed on the left side of her body and medics at Santa Fe's Jose Maria Cullen Hospital where she died had described her condition as 'critical' when she was admitted. One fan paying tribute to her online said late yesterday: 'A born fighter and an example of motivation and persistence. She deserves a tribute and recognition as a national and world champion.' Another said: 'Fly high champ. You were authentic and genuine. A great warrior.' The WBC said in a tribute, describing Alejandra as an inspiration to others: "She had a remarkable boxing career, becoming a multiple-time world champion. "In May 2006, she knocked out Jackie Nava to become the WBC super bantamweight world champion—a title she successfully defended three times. "She held the WBC featherweight world title from 2012 to 2013. That same year, she stopped Lely Luz Flores in seven rounds to capture the WBC super lightweight world championship. "Alejandra retired from professional boxing in 2017. Outside the ring, she found a new way to inspire others. "She built a community on social media where she shared motivational messages, especially aimed at women, people in vulnerable situations, and those who felt alone. Her words were often intertwined with boxing themes. "At the World Boxing Council, we deeply mourn the loss of our champion. Her legacy will live on in our minds and hearts."
Daily Mirror
30 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Sarina Wiegman: Future of 'incredible' Lionesses boss in question after FA chief's statement
Sarina Wiegman has twice guided England to European success and will attempt to lead the Lionesses to glory in the World Cup in Brazil in two years time before her contract expires FA chief Mark Bullingham has remained coy over the long-term future of Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman following England's Euros success. The Dutch manager remains under contract for another two years following the nation's Euro 2025 victory over Spain in Basel. Wiegman succeeded Phil Neville in charge of the team in 2021 and his since guided the team to two European Championship wins and a World Cup final defeat. In January 2024 Wiegman signed an contract extension until 2027 that sees her through until after the next World Cup in Brazil. But a plan to attempt to tie down Wiegman, 55, down for even longer is not yet in place. Chief executive Bullingham believes it is too early for any such notion. "It's a bit early for that," he said when asked about potential contract talks. "We are delighted she is with us for the World Cup, and we will have that conversation at an appropriate time. "She is an incredible manager, and we're delighted to be working with her, so that has to be up to her. We will have those conversations when they're ready to go." Bullingham did have plenty of kind words to say about Wiegman however. "She's an incredible person, incredible coach and incredible leader," he said. "We're very lucky to have her, proud to have her as part of the team, and obviously she will be working with us for the World Cup." Bullingham has previously suggested it would not be difficult to convince Wiegman to remain in charge of the Lioness. The FA boss' focus then too was on her being under contract until after the World Cup however. "Not hard at all," he said. "We are committed to her until 2027, and she is committed to us. We have a new [coaching] team coming in for her. "We haven't quite started working on the plans for [the 2027 World Cup], but I know her focus, hopefully after success on Sunday, will shift quite quickly to that." Wiegman will be afforded some time to celebrate Sunday's victory with her squad. An open top bus parade is set to take place on Tuesday afternoon along The Mall, with a staged ceremony in front of Buckingham Palace to follow. Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Daily Mirror
30 minutes ago
- Daily Mirror
Thomas Frank drops hint on Son Heung-Min plans as transfer offer emerges
Tottenham captain Son Heung-min is understood to be the subject of a £15million offer from LAFC in the MLS but the veteran South Korea international could yet stay put Thomas Frank insists that he sees Son Heung-Min having a 'very good' role to play for Tottenham next season despite interest in the veteran attacker from LAFC. The Spurs captain, 33, continues to be linked with a move away from the club he joined a decade ago. Interest in his services from overseas has remained throughout the summer and with Son no longer a guaranteed starter, it has been speculated that all parties may decide that a move would be beneficial. If Son were to depart, he would do so as the first Tottenham captain to lift a European trophy at the club in 41 years following last season's Europa League triumph. But Frank, Spurs' new head coach, has now come out and said that Son has been earmarked to play an important role next season. "I think first and foremost, Son's legacy here is remarkable," the Dane told Men In Blazers. "He's been a fantastic player for Tottenham, he is a fantastic player for Tottenham. "I see a player that that can play a very good role here next season. He's come in, very good mindset, trained very hard, pushed the players. So I'm excited about it." It emerged last week that Tottenham were considering an offer worth £15million from LAFC for Son, who won the Premier League Golden Boot award back in 2022. He scored seven times in the top-flight last season and registered a further nine assists for Spurs. It remains to be seen if he would be open to moving to the MLS. It was a disappointing domestic campaign for the north Londoners, who finished all the way down in 17th place. They did, however, atone for that by winning a trophy and qualifying for the Champions League. Now under new management, Tottenham have already bolstered their attack this summer with the captures of Mohammed Kudus and Mathys Tel, the latter joining permanently after spending the second half of the 2024-25 campaign on loan at the club. Further additions are expected before the transfer window shuts on 1 September, too, which could nudge Son further down the pecking order. One player who won't be joining, though, is Morgan Gibbs-White: the Nottingham Forest star has signed a new three-year contract with the club following an approach from Spurs, who were thought to have triggered a release clause in the attacking midfielder's previous deal, only to be threatened with legal action. A move has since broken down.
