Celtic have perfect opportunity to snap up player who once left Thierry Henry stunned – TBR View

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Reported Celtic target Jordon Ibe will be a free agent at the end of the month, his manager has confirmed.

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe has told The Sun (1 June, page 62) that the winger – whose contract expires on 30 June – has not been offered a new deal.

According to The Scottish Sun, Celtic manager Neil Lennon is a “long-term admirer” of the former Liverpool prodigy and wanted to sign him last summer.

The 24-year-old has made 92 appearances for the Cherries in all competitions, but just four have come this season, with just two in the Premier League, both of which were off the bench.

“He’s not been training with us and he hasn’t for some time,” Howe said of the £15million man.

“His contract expires at the end of June and we are not going to offer him a new deal. For Jordon, there is the sadness from my side because it just didn’t quite happen for him on a consistent basis.

“I’ve said many times, he is outstanding physically and technically. But when a player doesn’t fulfil his potential under my management, it doesn’t sit comfortably. I hope Jordon goes on and has the career his ability should allow him to have.”

Much was expected of Ibe at Liverpool, and when he left for Bournemouth, it was hoped that he could help take the Cherries to the next level, but unfortunately, things haven’t quite gone to plan for him.

That said, he is just 24 and has plenty of years ahead of him, and as a free agent, he would be a low-risk gamble for Celtic, a player who has bags of talent and, with the right man-management, can work his way back up to the levels he’s capable of reaching.

And how high are these levels? Well, back in 2015, Thierry Henry told Sky Sports after Ibe helped Liverpool to a 2-0 win over Southampton: “It was an amazing performance. It wasn’t the step overs and nutmegs but he showed maturity in a game like that at an early age, it’s his maturity to understand the game.

“The way he was tucking in to show he can cover his back three and the midfielders, he never gave up, he worked hard for his teammates and that’s how you gain the respect of teammates. That is why he is playing for Liverpool.”