---
title: "Celtic: Frank McAvennie drops Olivier Ntcham claim"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-frank-mcavennie-drops-olivier-ntcham-claim/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Celtic News"
published: "2021-05-15T19:05:41Z"
modified: "2021-05-15T19:05:41Z"
---

# Celtic: Frank McAvennie drops Olivier Ntcham claim

**Former Celtic striker Frank McAvennie has claimed that “something happened” between former Hoops manager Neil Lennon and Olivier Ntcham.**

### The Lowdown: Hoops holding out for £4m

The midfielder was sent out [on loan to Marseille during the winter transfer window](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/6616853/celtic-ntcham-joins-marseille-loan-option-permanent-transfer/), with the French club having the option to make that move permanent in the summer. It [doesn’t look as if that clause will be activated](https://www.glasgowtimes.co.uk/sport/19269841.olivier-ntcham-transfer-latest-marseille-president-snubs-mention-celtic-loanee-summer-update/), with the player himself [making it clear that he wants to leave](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-ntcham-does-not-want-to-play-for-celtic-again-with-exit-agreement-in-place/) Celtic Park this summer regardless.

The Hoops wanted around [£7m for him back in January](https://www.footballinsider247.com/sources-celtic-slash-price-for-star-to-7m-as-january-exit-on-the-cards/), but sources have told [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/mcavennie-delivers-upbeat-ntcham-verdict-after-celtic-slash-asking-price-by-3m/) that Celtic’s new asking price is around £4m.

[Celtic updates!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/celtic-updates-3/)

Back in February, Lennon claimed that Ntcham [had lost his desire](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/6625745/lennon-ntcham-passion-celtic-scottish-football/) to play for the Hoops, while the club’s former manager was [angered by the Frenchman’s apparent wish](https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/celtic-boss-neil-lennon-tells-olivier-ntcham-toknuckle-down-1413086) to leave Parkhead two years ago.

### The Latest: McAvennie’s claim

Talking to [Football Insider](https://www.footballinsider247.com/mcavennie-delivers-upbeat-ntcham-verdict-after-celtic-slash-asking-price-by-3m/) regarding the French midfielder, McAvennie appeared to share an inside claim on the 25-year-old and former Celtic manager Lennon. The 61-year-old said:

> “I like him as a player, I really do.
>
> “For me, he didn’t get enough games. I don’t know what his attitude is like but he’s barely kicked a ball in France.
>
> “I don’t know his current situation but I like him. I would not be disappointed if he came back and had a fresh start under whoever the new manager is.
>
> “The boy can play. Something happened with him and Lennon before he went. So now he’s gone, who knows?
>
> “He’s a Celtic player and Celtic need good players this summer, he knows what’s needed. New manager, clean slate.”

\[freshpress-quiz id=”355506″\]

### The Verdict: Celtic will be lucky to receive £4m

In our opinion, the Hoops will be very fortunate to receive their £4m asking price for the midfielder this summer. First of all, he will have just [12 months on his Celtic deal in the summer](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/olivier-ntcham/profil/spieler/224088), meaning that interested clubs could hold off until January and wait for a possible pre-contract agreement.

Secondly, his [Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/olivier-ntcham/marktwertverlauf/spieler/224088) valuation has dropped from £4.5m to £3.15m in the space of 12 months. That could be due to his infrequent displays on the pitch, with Ntcham [starting just three games for Marseille](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/olivier-ntcham/leistungsdaten/spieler/224088) since his move.

He only made [seven 2020/21 Premiership starts](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/olivier-ntcham/leistungsdaten/spieler/224088) prior to his move abroad and has contributed to just [three goals in 29 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/olivier-ntcham/leistungsdaten/spieler/224088) in the current campaign.

On that basis, we’re not confident that Celtic will receive £4m for Ntcham over the coming months.

***In other news:*** [***‘He doesn’t want to do it’ – McAvennie ‘gutted’ over recent Celtic development.***](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-transfer-rumours/celtic-mcavennie-reacts-to-edouard-news/)