Lenny in bid to nick Yohan

[ian1964 10,720]

CELTIC want to pinch French stopper Yohan Benalouane from under the noses of Rangers.

SPL champions Gers have been linked with a �£2million move to snap up the 23-year-old St Etienne defender.

 

Celts have targeted the stopper after they lost out on Sol Campbell to Newcastle and St Etienne are set to agree to a season-long loan with a view to clinching a permanent deal.

 

Benalouane is rated one of France's most promising defenders and has held summit talks with St Etienne's board.

 

He has been promised he'll be allowed to leave if the French club can strike a deal they are happy with.

 

Benalouane said: "An opportunity to join a club on that level would be impossible for me to reject.

 

"I have decided to make the move from St Etienne and I will now wait to see what happens."

 

The former France Under-21 cap has just one year left on his deal and St Etienne are ready to cash in him.

 

Gers were contacted by an agent alerting them to Benalouane's availability but their interest has now cooled.

 

Now Hoops gaffer Neil Lennon wants to land the stopper.

 

Celts' problems in defence were highlighted in the 3-0 Champions League loss to Braga.

 

Lennon also lost out on his No1 keeper target yesterday when David James joined Bristol City.

 

He said: "We've got a good keeper in Lukasz Zaluska, but it's imperative we get another one in.

 

"We lost a superb goalie in Artur Boruc so it's important we replace him."

 

 

 

Read more: http://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/scotsol/homepage/sport/spl/3076354/Celtic-want-to-pinch-French-stopper-Yohan-Benalouane-from-Rangers.html#ixzz0vDNOeKpK

[Super_Ally 0]

If our interest has cooled, how are they nicking him?

 

I swear the last 2/3 years every player they've signed they try and make out they've beaten us to the signing. More Loovens' type signing for them hopefully.