Celtic are being linked with another centre-back as Martin O'Neill looks to bolster his defence this summer. The Bhoys are off to a sluggish start in this transfer window, yet to make a single signing at this point.
But Martin O'Neill will be looking to speed up that process, and we are likely to see plenty of new faces at Paradise come the opening day of the season, and likely more by the time the window shuts.
Celtic have some pressing needs, after all, and none more than the striker position, while a starting goalkeeper and replacements for the likes of Arne Engels and Daizen Maeda are also going to be priorities.
Celtic's defence could also do with a new face or two
While not a position of priority, O'Neill will want to add another centre-back who can contend for starts ahead of the new season. The Bhoys have five centre-backs on their books, but Dane Murray and Maik Nawrocki are unlikely to be central to O'Neill's plans.
Auston Trusty, Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales will be seen as the main centre-backs as things stand, and O'Neill is going to want to add a fourth name to that llist to ensure there is proper depth at the position.
Rayo defender comes into view
Celtic centre-back links are starting to pile up a little, with Michael Parker linked this week, while Rayo Vallecano defender Nobel Mendy is said to be of serious interest.
In fact, journalist Matteo Moretto has claimed the Bhoys have submitted a bid for the defender. He says Eintracht Frankfurt and Stuttgart have also bid for the defender. Though it's worth pointing out that while the Spanish word 'pujan' used in the post translates to 'bid' in the plural tense, it is possible it relates to enquiries over formal bids.
Either way, the Bhoys are said to be interested in the 21-year-old centre-back, who made 26 LaLiga appearances last season, also playing a part in helping Rayo to the Conference League final.
Mendy is already valued at £6.4million by Transfermarkt, and Rayo, who have done well over the last couple of years, are likely to demand more than that to sell. Mendy is still only 21 years of age, so the LaLiga club are likely to see him as an expensive asset.
Rayo just missed out on Europe this season, and only due to Real Sociedad winning the Copa del Rey. Although they did lose talented young manager Iñigo Pérez to Villarreal.
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