According to Teamtalk (h/t Gazette Live), Celtic have made an approach to re-sign Manchester City winger Patrick Roberts.
However, this time the Hoops are trying to land their former on-loan star permanently by offering a sum of around £3million. Roberts was an instant hit at Celtic Park, becoming a crowd favourite during his 18-month loan-spell in Scotland.
He scored a notable 17 goals and provided 26 assists from 78 matches across all competitions after moving from Manchester City in February 2016. He stayed there until the summer of 2018 and enjoyed one of the best moments in his career.
However, since then, the 23-year-old forward’s form has witnessed a sudden dip in form that has included unsuccessful loan spells at Girona and Norwich City.
In fact, Roberts had begun the season by leaving for bottom-placers and newly promoted side Norwich on a season-long spell. However, he was recalled by City in January after Norwich failed to offer the winger enough opportunities.
He made a total of just four appearances for the side and is now with Championship outfit Middlesbrough, where he is on loan until the end of this season.
It’s not just poor form that has hampered Roberts’ career but rather a series of injuries that he has sustained in recent years. A hamstring injury forced him out of action for three months, limiting his appearances to just 19 league games during his time in Spain with Girona.
Most recently, he suffered an injury that has put him on the sidelines for the majority of this season after some decent displays in the beginning since arrival at Middlesbrough. Despite all that, he is a real talent, having proved it during his heydays in Scotland, forcing City to keep hold of their young talent. That said, Celtic’s interest in their former star does not come as a surprise.
Meanwhile, Roberts would be a useful addition to manager Neil Lennon’s side that lacks an out and out right-winger. They just have Ukrainian youngster Maryan Shved in that role. However, he has played just one league game so far and lacks experience.
They also have in-form man James Forrest on the right but the Scotsman plays a deeper role as a midfielder. Also, Roberts’ arrival will offer Lennon more depth in the attack. He is capable of playing anywhere up front and has done so on numerous occasions for Celtic itself.
Celtic do not have an established right-winger in their midst and Roberts could offer Lennon more options up front. Having already proven himself at Celtic Park, it would not take the Englishman much time to adjust. Hence, Celtic must continue their pursuit of Roberts and land their former on-loan star.
