Leeds United have joined Bolton Wanderers and Ipswich Town in the race for Bersant Celina – according to the Manchester City youngster himself.
Manchester City’s Bersant Celina
Bersant Celina made quite the impression on his Manchester City debut. Though Manuel Pellegrini’s side were 3-0 down at home to Leicester City in February 2016 and their hopes of the title slipping away, the wafer-thin youngster came on with a few minutes to go to ensure the home supporters at least travelled home with a bit of optimism in their hearts.
Curling a sublime cross onto the head of Sergio Aguero for a late consolation, Celina had an assist on his Premier League debut. 16 months on, however, and that is the Kosovan international’s only appearance in the English top flight.
Though he’s rated very highly within the walls of the Etihad, it appears that Celina’s short-term future lies elsewhere. Potentially at Leeds United. According to NK, The Whites have joined Championship rivals Bolton Wanderers and Ipswich Town in the race to sign the 20-year-old on loan for next season.
“The plan is to play in the Championship,” Celina confirms.
Hitting five goals and four assists on loan at FC Twente in the Eredivisie last season, only a European ban for breaking KNVB licensing rules prevented Celina from inspiring the club into the Europa League alongside fellow City youngsters Enes Unal and Yaw Yeboah.
Kicking out Kemar?
And that suggests that Celina has enough creativity in that wand of a right boot to take the pressure of Pablo Hernandez at Leeds United next season.
Leeds crashed and burned when Pablo Hernandez lost his form in the second half of last season
What this means for Kemar Roofe, however, remains to be seen. The 24-year-old struggled to convince after signing from Oxford United for £3 million last summer despite contributing an impressive seven assists.
Yet, 14 of his 42 Championship appearances came from the substitute’s bench – and he started only 11 games in his favoured number 10 position.
Kemar Roofe scored just three times last season
And the arrival of Celina would only add further competition in Leeds’ attack, making it even more difficult to force his way into the side on a regular basis.
There’s no suggestion that Roofe will depart Elland Road this summer – but Celina’s signing means he would face a tough task living up to that transfer fee.
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