Contract offer: Celtic and Nicholson already trying to finalise free transfer for 'creative' ace

Celtic have offered Zinedine Ferhat pre-contract terms ahead of a possible free summer transfer, according to reports in France.

The Hoops made five winter window additions last month, the last of which was Matt O’Riley from MK Dons.

Celtic were linked with a move for Ferhat at the beginning of the year, with the 28-year-old out of contract with Nimes Olympique at the end of June.

He remained with the French second-tier side beyond the January transfer window, but it seems as if the Hoops are still keen on the versatile midfielder and are looking to tie up a cut-price move at the earliest opportunity.

According to reports in France, relayed by The Daily Record on Friday evening, the Algerian has been offered pre-contract terms by the Hoops.

Ferhat is thought to be desperate to leave Nimes and will see out his contract before leaving in the summer, with Turkish side Trabzonspor also making the playmaker an offer.

Ferhat has been described as ‘creative’ by Adam White and is valued at £4.05m by Transfermarkt, so he could well be a smart free signing by Celtic, should he accept a move to Scotland.

Capable of playing on the right-hand side or as an attacking midfielder, Ferhat contributed to 16 goals in Ligue 1 last season and was the silver lining in a Nimes side that dropped down to Ligue 2.

James Forrest and Liel Abada are the club’s only senior options on the right-hand side along with youngster Karamoko Dembele, who is out of contract in the summer.

The Hoops have four options on the opposite flank, so Ferhat’s potential arrival would help balance Ange Postecoglou’s ranks ahead of the 2022/23 season.

In other news: Kieran Devlin drops scary Reo Hatate claim from sources close to Celtic dressing room. 

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