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Report: Leeds United eye move for Manchester City playmaker Bersant Celina

Chelsea's Charlie Colkett and Manchester City's Bersant Celina in action (Reuters)
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Leeds United are keen on signing Bersant Celina.

Chelsea's Charlie Colkett and Manchester City's Bersant Celina in actionChelsea’s Charlie Colkett and Manchester City’s Bersant Celina in action

Leeds United are keen on signing Manchester City playmaker Bersant Celina, according to Norwegian outlet NRK.

The Whites are one of three Championship sides interested, along with Ipswich Town and Bolton Wanderers.

Celina, 20, spent last season on loan at FC Twente in Holland and faces an uphill challenge to break into City’s side.

Manchester City's Bersant CelinaManchester City’s Bersant Celina

Celina’s preferred position is as a central attacking midfielder although he can also play out on the wing.

In 27 Eredivisie games last season he scored five goals and provided five assists.

Celina is a Norwegian under-21 international although has recently committed his senior commitment to Kosovo.

Celina told NRK: “The plan is to play in the Championship. I’m going to try to find a club there. It will be one of them [Leeds, Ipswich or Bolton] Then we’ll see.”

The 20-year-old is looking for a loan move, rather than a permanent switch.

Manchester City's Bersant Celina and Leicester's Darnell Johnson in actionManchester City’s Bersant Celina and Leicester’s Darnell Johnson in action

Having gained valuable senior football experience in Holland, getting further acclimatised to English football by joining a Championship club is a logical next step if Celina still harbours hope of making it at City one day.

Leeds do not have a head coach in place at present although new technical director Victor Orta is overseeing transfers.

The Daily Record reported in 2016 that Celina was in contention to move to Celtic on loan, but a move did not materialise.