Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers still wants to add to his squad despite the imminent arrival of Jonny Hayes at Parkhead.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers
Both Celtic and Patrick Roberts are looking at other options with the winger’s return to Parkhead growing increasingly unlikely, the Scottish Sun reports.
Roberts shone during his 18 months at Celtic, and Bhoys boss Brendan Rodgers had made no secret of his desire to bring the 20-year-old back to Glasgow this summer.
A potential club-record permanent transfer is said to have been discussed, although it is now claimed the Scottish champions are resigned to missing out on such a deal after lengthy talks with the player’s parent club, Manchester City.
It is being reported that Rodgers still wants to add ‘extra attacking options’ to his squad, despite the imminent arrival of Jonny Hayes at Parkhead, and that the Ulsterman will keep an eye on Roberts’ situation in case anything changes.
Former Celtic loanee Patrick Roberts
However, with interest mounting from across Europe – German pair Schalke and Hoffenheim are the latest to be credited with interest – the Englishman is likely to head elsewhere should City sanction his release.
It is claimed that Rodgers will now ‘step up plans’ to strengthen his squad – ahead of next month’s Champions League qualifiers.
Who should Celtic target if they cannot get Roberts?
General view of Celtic’s Parkhead ground
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