Celtic’s hopes of keeping wanted man Roberts seem to be fading
Celtic’s hopes of signing Patrick Roberts look to be receding, with a clutch of clubs expressing an interest in the winger, who played a key role in the Parkhead side’s treble success last season.
Reports yesterday claimed the player had already held talks with Nice about joining them on loan next season. Porto have also been credited with an interest in Roberts, while clubs in England and Germany are also understood to be monitoring the situation.
The Manchester City winger has spent the last year and a half on loan at Celtic. He helped Brendan Rodgers’ side win the clean sweep and was a key member of the squad which was unbeaten in domestic competition.
Manager Rodgers had hoped to sign the player permantely and a fee of between £4 and £5 million was mooted. However, initial offers from Celtic appear to have fallen short.
City will have the final say on Roberts’ next move and may feel he would benefit from playing in the French league next season.
Nice finished third in Ligue 1 and, like Celtic, will play in Champions League qualifiers.
Roberts, 20, turned down the chance to play for England at the Under-20 World Cup so he could play for Celtic in the Scottish Cup final against Aberdeen.
One player who does appear to be on his way to Celtic is Aberdeen’s Jonny Hayes. The clubs have agreed a fee and Hayes will move to Glasgow subject to a medical.
Aberdeen are hoping to take Celtic attacker Ryan Christie on a season-long loan deal as part of the transfer. Christie spent the second half of last season on loan at Pittodrie, scoring seven goals.