Tosin Adarabioyo report means Celtic must keep Jozo Simunovic from Newcastle United

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Manchester City youngster Tosin Adarabioyo was reported to be on his way to Brendan Rodgers’ Celtic – but not anymore.

Few saw this coming. After failing to make a single Premier League appearance all season under Pep Guardiola, it appeared certain that highly-rated centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo would be on his way out of the Etihad Stadium.

And the Scottish Sun reported that Celtic were watching the situation with interest as manager Brendan Rodgers attempted to lay the foundations to bring the 19-year-old to Glasgow.

After successful loan spells enjoyed by fellow City youngsters Jason Denayer and Patrick Roberts at Parkhead, it appeared that Celtic would be the ideal environment for Adarabioyo to finally kick-start his development with some much-needed minutes.

Adarabi-oh-no

However, according to Goal, the teenage centre-back has performed a surprising U-turn and has instead signed a new £25,000-a-week contract with Manchester City – despite the fact that Guardiola appears less than convinced about his potential.

Therefore, this puts the breaks on Rodgers’ hopes of adding a talented young defender to his ranks at Celtic. Consequently, the Scottish champions must now re-focus their efforts on ensuring that first-choice centre-back Jozo Simunovic remains in Glasgow beyond the summer.

The Daily Mail reported recently that the Croatia youth international, who has started 22 games as Celtic cruised to a sixth straight league title, had piqued the interest of Premier League duo West Brom and Newcastle United.

Both clubs appear to be in the market for a new centre-back, especially Championship title winners Newcastle. They appear to have doubts about captain Jamaal Lascelles’ ability to cut it in the top flight and may be willing to meet Celtic’s £9 million valuation.

Needless to say, however, with Adarabioyo remaining in Manchester, Celtic cannot afford to let Simunovic follow in the footsteps of so many of their star players and swap Scotland for the Premier League.