Virgil van Dijk’s Celtic past must convince Xavier Mbuyamba into Glasgow move

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Voetbal International has been talking to the representatives of talented Dutch defender Xavier Mbuyamba this week. The Dutch report suggests the MVV Maastricht teenager is wanted by Celtic. Other clubs are mentioned, including Chelsea, where he is expected to train in the coming weeks and are currently the frontrunners for his signature.

But Mbuyamba should look at one Premier League star and swiftly realise why Celtic would be a better choice.

The comparisons between the MVV talent and Virgil van Dijk are easy to make. Fast, strong and excellent in the air he also has excellent composure on the ball. His impressive 6ft 4ins frame even gives him a physical likeness to the Liverpool star.

Of course, as reported by the BBC, Liverpool paid £75 million to sign the player from Southampton last January. He has since gone on to be a colossus for the Reds and was the PFA Player of the Year this season.

But there is no doubt he honed his best qualities playing Scottish football. Mbuyamba would be wise to lead that example.

Celtic have excellent facilities and first-team chances would be far more likely at Parkhead then Stamford Bridge, or several of the other teams keen on his signature.

It also affords him, like Van Dijk, the stepping stone to eventually head to England if that is his ultimate aim.

Celtic helped make Van Dijk the player he is today and Mbuyamba has the qualities to follow that blueprint. With that in mind, the 17-year-old should consider Celtic his best current option.