EXCLUSIVE: £8m Bournemouth defender Chris Mepham is on Celtic’s list of targets as Brendan Rodgers eyes reinforcements
- The Wales international has struggled to hold down a starting position for the Cherries
- Mepham is entering the final year of his contract and is worth an estimated £8 million
- Interest in Celtic is at an early stage and no formal approach has yet been taken
Celtic have added Bournemouth centre-back Chris Mepham to a list of summer signings.
The 26-year-old Welsh international has struggled to hold down a place in the English Premier League first team due to injuries and the form of Marco Senesi and Illia Zabarnyi.
Bournemouth, a target for Leeds and Sheffield United in the January window, refused to sell mid-season. Heading into the final 12 months of his contract at the Vitality Stadium, Mepham are now expected to demand a fee of around £8 million.
The 6ft 1in defender, who has made 33 appearances for Wales, can operate on the right or left side of a central defence. Celtic’s interest is in the early stages, with the Scottish champions yet to make an official approach.
Earlier this season, Mepham said: “I’m probably reaching the peak of my career now – in football terms – at 26. The coming years are important to me.
Bournemouth centre-back Chris Mepham has attracted interest from Celtic
The Wales international struggled to get playing time in the English Premier League last season
Celtic are already in talks over a permanent deal for Benfica loanee Paulo Bernardo
‘It’s important to play week in week out. If you’re not getting the playtime you want and need, you need to be open to all options.
“I just think sometimes things don’t always go the way you want and sometimes it’s better for you to go somewhere else.”
Brendan Rodgers will try to replace a number of players this season and is looking for reinforcements at goalkeeper, left back, central defense, midfield and attack. The Parkhead club are in talks with Benfica over a permanent £3.5million deal for Paulo Bernardo.
The news of an interest in Mepham comes after Legia Warsaw failed to sign Polish centre-back Maik Nawrocki on loan from Celtic. Devastated by injuries since a £4.5million transfer last summer, reports in his homeland claim Nawrocki has rejected a return to Legia, but could change his mind in January if he fails to secure a place in the first team to obtain. Swedish center half Gustaf Lagerbielke is expected to leave this summer.