Celts Eye Move For Koumas

Jan 20 2008 By Mark Guidi

Exclusive

CELTIC boss Gordon Strachan has launched a bid to lure Wigan playmaker Jason Koumas on loan.

Koumas - signed last summer for £5million from West Brom - is not a part of new gaffer Steve Bruce's plans and the Premiership side are willing to let him move on.

Strachan tracked the midfielder last season but the transfer fee and wages proved too big a package.

Now he is back in for the Welsh ace and has asked about taking him on loan for the rest of the season. Koumas is known for his goals from midfield and would be available for the Champions League clashes against Barcelona.

Blackburn boss Mark Hughes is also keen and may weigh in with a bid of £3.5m.

Wigan would prefer to sell and will tell Celtic over the next couple of days if they are willing to let the player leave on a short-term deal.

The move could hinge on Koumas' desire to move to Parkhead. If that is his first choice it will smooth the way and could lead to a permanent transfer in the summer.

Meanwhile, Bobo Balde insists he will only leave Celtic for a top club after being linked with English Premiership strugglers.

Bolton dropped their interest last week while Sunderland and Birmingham are also said to be in the hunt for the giant defender.

But Balde, currently with Guinea at the Africa Cup of Nations, doesn't want to take a big drop in standards.

He said: "I'm content at Celtic but I'd like more playing time. Will I leave in January? That's up to Celtic. I would only accept it if it was a club at a good level.

"I have seen the stories about interest from English Premiership clubs but I have honestly never spoken directly with any of them."

Guinea kick off against tournament hosts Ghana today and Balde said: "I am optimistic. I think we could go to the quarter-finals."