MARSEILLE DEFENDER Hiroki Sakai has told a French magazine that he had three offers last summer from Celtic, Ajax and Marseille as he pondered his Hannover exit.
The Japanese international was wanted by Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers when the Irishman was in the market for a right-back last summer, however, the defender chose to head to France with Marseille after deliberating with his International coach.
“I had three offers [from Ajax, Celtic and Marseille]. [Japan boss] Vahid Halilhodzic told me Marseille was a good club, but it was hard to impose yourself there.
“Since that’s what I wanted, I chose to come here. I think he’s happy that I’m in France.”
Rodgers then signed Cristian Gamboa from West Brom and the player featured 15 times for the club last term but has yet to fully endear himself to the Celtic faithful with fan favourite Mikael Lustig still the preferred choice.
There must be a big game coming up in Europe, the news dragging up someone who didn’t sign a year ago 😉