Celtic Weighing Up A Summer Move For Manchester City Defender – Smart From The Hoops? | OneFootball

According to transfer journalist Alan Nixon (as quoted by the Manchester Evening News), Celtic are keeping close tabs on Manchester City youngster Taylor Harwood-Bellis over a potential summer swoop. However, Nixon expects no immediate move from the Hoops despite interest in the centre-half.

Celtic must prioritise a few other deals before roping in Harwood-Bellis. Since completing a summer loan from Tottenham Hotspur, Cameron Carter-Vickers was rock solid in deep defence. The Bhoys, therefore, should make the deal permanent to have him in their ranks for the next few years.

Meanwhile, the future looks uncertain for Christopher Jullien, who has slipped way down the pecking order in the wake of an injury misfortune. The Frenchman is available for selection after staying sidelined for more than a year, but he does not seem to be in Ange Postecoglou’s plans following just one substitute appearance in a Scottish Cup fixture.

Similar to Jullien, young Osaze Urhoghide has been an outcast since completing a Bosman transfer from Sheffield Wednesday. He left in January to join KV Oostende on loan for first-team minutes, and the Belgian side are now weighing up a permanent swoop by triggering the option-to-buy clause of the defender’s contract.

WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND – APRIL 09: Andy Carroll of West Bromwich Albion is challenged by Taylor Harwood-Bellis of Stoke City during the Sky Bet Championship match between West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City at The Hawthorns on April 09, 2022 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images). The 4th Official uses images provided by the following image agency: Getty Images (https://www.gettyimages.de/) and Imago Images (https://www.imago-images.de/).

Nir Bitton slotted in as a makeshift centre-back on many occasions. But the departure of the Israel international, as well as the potential egress of both Jullien and Urhoghide, highlight the necessity of reinforcements in the heart of the backline. They need someone who would challenge and cover Carl Starfelt, Stephen Welsh and Carter-Vickers for the upcoming term and a move for Harwood-Bellis makes complete sense given his senior experience in England and Belgium.

Why Celtic Should Tie Him Down

The 20-year-old England youth international progressed through the youth ranks of Manchester City before breaking into their senior side for an EFL Cup tie against Preston North End. So far, he has made eight appearances for his boyhood side, including a Champions League group stage outing versus Dinamo Zagreb.

The young ace does not have an immediate senior career at the Etihad. The star-studded Citizens are well equipped in the defensive third, and the spells with Blackburn Rovers, Anderlecht and most recently Stoke City helped him grow his game in the first-team set-up.

The Skyblues should welcome Celtic’s bid as long as it’s a season-long loan and the youngster, too, must welcome the offer as it would hand him the opportunity to shine in the Champions League football.