Neil Lennon reportedly ‘alerted’ to Gideon Mensah loan possibility

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Celtic are reportedly interested in the signature of Red Bull Salzburg defender Gideon Mensah. According to a report in his homeland from Ghana Soccernet, the left-back has the choice of either joining Celtic on loan or Belgian top-flight outfit Zulte Waregem.

The Scottish Sun has also reported the news, suggesting that Neil Lennon has been ‘alerted’ to his availability on loan.

Celtic are openly in the market for a new left-back following the departures of Kieran Tierney and Emilio Izaguirre this summer. Boli Bolingoli has already arrived but Lennon is keen to add extra depth in the role. 

Kilmarnock’s Greg Taylor and Rosenborg defender Birger Meling have appeared the most likely arrivals in recent days but Mensah now looks like an alternative option. 

Mensah has plenty of admirers across Europe, including at Barcelona. Spanish publication Sport reported last week that Barcelona were looking to sign the player on loan for their ‘B’ team as a replacement for Juan Miranda. An option to buy was due to be placed in that deal. 

However, Salzburg sporting director Christoph Freund told Salzburger Nachrichten that there had been ‘no contact’ with the Catalan giants and that Mensah is in Salzburg’s long-term plans.

TBR’s View

Celtic’s interest in Mensah seems to be something of a fall-back option. Taylor and Meling still look like the club’s more likely recruits in the role and Salzburg do not seem overly keen on letting the Ghanaian leave. 

At this rate, Celtic fans will just be happy if the club manages to bring anyone into the club to fill their left-back position. 

But Mensah would certainly appear to not be the club’s first-choice option in the role.