Celtic are determined to sign Phil Foden but Manchester City are rather less keen on the move.
Celtic do not seem willing to accept defeat over Phil Foden. According to TEAMtalk, the Scottish champions were desperate to land the prodigious playmaker on loan from Manchester City in the summer and were willing to pay a substantial £1.5 million fee to make the move happen.
That was before Foden, who left Pep Guardiola speechless in pre-season, made his first-team debut for City and inspired England’s Under-17s to World Cup triumph, winning the Player of the Tournament award in the process.
The Scottish Sun claims that Celtic are interested again ahead of the January window – but City will not let the 17-year-old leave as they feel he is better suited continuing his development at The Etihad under the watchful eye of Guardiola.
Whether they are right remains to be seen.
Celtic have history
Celtic have forged a good relationship with City over the years, John Guidetti, Jason Denayer and currently Patrick Roberts making great strides on loan at Parkhead from the Premier League champions.
And with Brendan Rodgers at the helm, Celtic have one of the most reputable managers in Europe when it comes to developing young players.
So Foden would likely feel right at home north of the border – and would probably have access to far greater minutes in the first-team than he is likely to get in a City side hardly short of creative talent.
Foden, for all his talents, has played just 15 minutes of senior football this season. So while you can understand why City want to keep him learning in and around the first-team, Celtic would provide Foden with something Guardiola can’t – regular minutes in the professional game.
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