James Léa Siliki: Celtic 'make approach' for Rennes midfielder

Celtic have made an approach for Rennes midfielder James Léa Siliki, according to reports in France.
James Lea Siliki celebrates with the Rennes fans after a victoryJames Lea Siliki celebrates with the Rennes fans after a victory
James Lea Siliki celebrates with the Rennes fans after a victory

RMC claims the Breton side have already rejected a bid from Portugese side Porto, understood to be €8 million (£7.2 million).

The 23-year-old, who was capped by France at Under-19 level, spent time with Paris Saint-Germain and Guingamp during his youth career.

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He scored once in three appearances for Guingamp B before his move to Roazhon Park in 2014, and played more than 50 games for Rennes B in the fifth tier of French football before joining the senior squad in 2017.

Léa Siliki made his first-team debut in January 2017 as a 78th minute substitute for Aldo Kalulu in a 1-1 draw with FC Nantes.

He has since played 72 times for Rennes, scoring three and assisting seven.

While Léa Siliki is under contract until June 2021, and his reported £7m+ price tag may seem hefty, wantaway midfielder Olivier Ntcham could be used as a makeweight in a prospective deal.

Earlier this week, the France Under-21 midfielder was quoted as saying he was disappointed not to have joined Porto last summer, admitted speculation linking him with Rennes' fellow Ligue 1 side Marseille was flattering and added: "We can do as many matches as we want but, with all due respect for my opponents, if the level in front [of you] is not high, you do not progress."

Celtic manager Neil Lennon confirmed he would be holding talks with the former Manchester City youngster about his mindset, adding: "I think it is fair tyo say that a lot of us [at Celtic] were not satisfied with the comments.

"When I speak to Olivier it will be done privately but, you can imagine, we find the comments untimely and not particularly accurate.

"He still has a future [at Celtic] - he is under contract. But I will be speaking to him about his attitude towards the club which, the way it came across, didn't look good."