According to the latest report from the Sun, Celtic are keen on bringing their former loan star Patrick Roberts back to Glasgow. However, Premier League outfit Leicester City are also said to be interested in the winger. Roberts thrived at Parkhead under Brendan Rodgers, and the former Celtic manager is now at the helm with the Foxes.
The Manchester City player ended his disastrous loan spell at Girons recently. The winger made 19 appearances in the La Liga in the past one year. Roberts only started six of those games, and he didn’t manage to produce any assists or goals.
The 22-year-old is going to enter into the final year of his contract with his parent club Manchester City. We feel that the Premier League champions might want to ship him away permanently this season. Given the talent they have, we don’t see Guardiola extending Roberts’ contract after he struggled to start for La Liga strugglers Girona.
Celtic haven’t yet decided on their next manager would be, and that uncertainty might help Leicester City in landing the English winger who enjoyed great success under Rodgers.
Does Celtic need Roberts?
The Bhoys are set to lose quite a few players in the upcoming transfer window as some are going to be out of contract and other players’ loan spells are coming to an end. Celtic needs to add attacking options as Oliver Burke and Timothy Weah are going to leave the club. Roberts can be a reliable option to have as he already had two years of experience of playing at Celtic Park.
Roberts managed 18 goals, and 26 assists in 78 appearances for Celtic and the fans would love to see him back. He has impressive pace and finishing skills and his versatility to play in various position in the attacking third will be a significant asset for the club.
Can Celtic sign him again?
It is believed that Leicester City can land him for £4m. Even if Celtic matches that bid, the Foxes are likely to offer him better wages. Plus playing in the Premier League would be a big step for the English winger, and he might want to test himself out in one of the biggest and toughest divisions in the world.
On those front, Celtic are likely to lose out. However, if the player wants regular football to revive his career after his failed spell at Girona, then he might opt to play for the Hoops. At this moment, it hangs in the balance, but we feel that the Foxes might have the edge over the Bhoys.
