French defender snubs Celtic

Celtic’s bid to sign French defender Dianbobo Balde has been scuppered by his desire to stay in France.

Celtic’s bid to sign French defender Dianbobo Balde has been scuppered by his desire to stay in France.

The £2 million sterling-rated 25-year-old is certain to leave relegated Toulouse but has told Martin O’Neill he is not prepared to move to Scotland.

Balde told the Daily Record: "I am not going to Scotland. You can never say never, but I don't want to go abroad at this stage in my career. I know Celtic have been interested in me but I have refused to talk to them because I want to stay in France."

Celtic have also withdrawn their interest in Marc Libbra, a team-mate of Balde’s. Libbra is still tied to a loan spell at Hibernian until the end of the month, and the Edinburgh club can now step up their efforts to sign the striker, who impressed in the Scottish Cup final against Celtic, permanently.

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Libbra has been left in limbo hoping a fee can be agreed with Hibernian. He said: "I don’t know what is going on. The general manager at Toulouse has said to me maybe Hibs will sign me. I am awaiting a decision."

Hibs had been aware of Celtic’s interest, and the Edinburgh club had inserted a sell-on clause in Libbra’s loan deal to prevent a repeat of Didier Agathe’s switch to Parkhead earlier in the season.

The winger had ended a short-term deal at Easter Road to seal a more lucrative contract with O’Neill’s side.

PA