Celtic and Southampton are bidding to re-sign Patrick Roberts from Manchester City.
Celtic assistant manager Chris Davies has told BBC Sport that the club are in contact with Manchester City over a deal to bring Patrick Roberts back to Glasgow – but The Mirror claim that Southampton are also chasing a deal.
Roberts, 20, emerged as one of English football’s top young talents during his time with Fulham, and Manchester City swooped to land him ahead of a host of Premier League rivals during the summer transfer window in 2015.
Patrick Roberts celebrates scoring for Celtic
The young winger struggled for first-team football though, and was subsequently loaned out to Celtic in January 2016, penning an 18-month deal under Ronny Deila, and he immediately impressed with six goals in 13 games.
Roberts thrived under Brendan Rodgers, notching nine goals and ten assists before his loan deal came to an end, and he has spent this summer featuring for City during their pre-season preparations – but he could still be on the move before this month’s transfer deadline.
Celtic assistant boss Chris Davies has told BBC Sport that talks have been held with Manchester City over a deal to take Roberts back to Celtic Park this summer,
“We really enjoyed working with Patrick, there is always going to be a home for him here if that suits everybody,” said Davies. “They have been talking and the situation is always open to a certain extent because the transfer window is still open. We’ve got the players that are with us working and fighting right now, we’ve been scoring and creating goals, so if something extra happens then it’s all positive, but if not we’re ok.”
“All I know from our part is that we value the player, rate the player, and I’m sure if it was right for everybody then something would be done. But we can’t really control that at the moment, we just focus on our work here and see how that one evolves. Pat at the moment is playing for Man City, he’s featured for them, so I can’t comment too much on it. All I can tell you from my side and speaking for the manager is how much we enjoyed working with him, and the rest will take care of itself,” he added.
Celtic’s Brendan Rodgers and his assistant Chris Davies celebrate
Celtic are still in the mix for Roberts, but they face stern competition for his signature. The Mirror not only claim that French side Nice want to take Roberts on loan, but Southampton are also hoping to strike a deal with City to take the England Under-20 international.
A chance to play in the Premier League may be appealing to Roberts, but Celtic may be able to offer Champions League football once again, with Nice also chasing the same target in Europe.
The three-way battle for Roberts’ signature could go on and on until the deadline, but with the likes of Leroy Sane, Raheem Sterling and new signing Bernardo Silva all at Pep Guardiola’s disposal, Roberts may well have to go out on loan again to play this season.
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