Fabrizio Romano confirms Chris Mepham news amid Celtic links

Celtic are expected to strengthen their centre-back ranks before the summer transfer window comes to an end. The Hoops have plenty of options in that area of the pitch but not enough competing for a starting spot. Liam Scales and Cameron Carter-Vickers have established themselves as the regular starters in the heart of defence.

There are many who believe that Celtic need to bring in someone to compete with Scales. Unfortunately, the likes of Gustaf Lagerbielke, Maik Nawrocki, Stephen Welsh and Yuki Kobayashi are not doing that.

On top of that, there are question marks surrounding the futures of Lagerbielke and Kobayashi. Things are not certain for Nawrocki and Welsh either.

Naturally, it is easy to see why Celtic need to sign a centre-back this summer. One of the players they have been linked with is Welsh international, Chris Mepham. And there is a major update on his future at Bournemouth.

Fabrizio Romano confirms Chris Mepham news amid Celtic links

As tweeted by Fabrizio Romano, Mepham will leave Bournemouth in this window, either on loan or permanently. Ipswich Town, Torino and Anderlecht are all in the race with more expected to join as he is ready to try a new chapter.

Mepham is 26 years of age and should be entering his prime. He was part of the Chelsea academy before making the move to Brentford. It is there that he got his first taste of senior level football. He would end up joining Bournemouth in 2019 and has made more than 100 appearances for them. The centre-back has also played almost 50 times for Wales.

It is expected to take a transfer fee in the region of £8 million to sign Mepham from Bournemouth. It feels unlikely that Celtic would shell out that sort of a figure, especially after agreeing a £9.5 million transfer package for Adam Idah.