As Brendan Rodgers and Celtic look to tie up a deal for Patrick Roberts, they must have alternatives, like Jack Harrison, to turn to if the move falters.
Celtic may have to smash their club-record transfer fee of £6million to sign Manchester City winger Patrick Roberts, according to The Herald.
The 20-year-old excelled in an 18-month loan spell at Celtic Park which came to an end following a season in which Brendan Rodgers’ side enjoyed an incredible unbeaten domestic campaign.
And although Celtic are keen to bring Roberts back to Glasgow on a permanent basis, they have so far been unable to agree a deal for a player that cost City £12m just two years ago.
After such an impressive spell in the Scottish Premiership, and still with the potential to improve, it is surely unlikely that City would accept a cut-price move for the England youth international.
And so, as the saga drags on, Celtic may be forced to look elsewhere.
One player for Rodgers to consider, who is strikingly similar to Roberts, would be Jack Harrison, the Stoke-on-Trent-born winger plying his trade in Major League Soccer for New York City FC.
Harrison is just a couple of months younger than Roberts, he plays in the same position and – as a speedy left-footed wide man – boasts similar attributes to the former Fulham man, while, having learned from Frank Lampard and David Villa, he would understand the pressures of representing an elite club.
With the record fee received by an MLS club – for Jozy Altidore in 2008 – considerably less the £12m City paid for Roberts, Harrison would be a cheaper option, too, and the player could be tempted by Champions League football and an opportunity to move back to Britain.
Roberts must remain Celtic’s prime target for now, but there are alternatives out there.
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