Celtic leapfrog PL club to become bookies favourites to sign electric forward
By Harry Sykes
Celtic have leapfrogged Southampton to become the new bookmakers’ favourites to sign Manchester City forward Patrick Roberts this summer, according to the latest odds.
Sky Bet have installed the Scottish treble winners as evens favourites to land the wide forward, 20, before the transfer window shuts at the start of September.
This comes 24 hours after Premier League outfit Southampton were priced as the most likely to land in-demand Roberts.
Now, a shift in odds has made Celtic more likely, as the Saints drift to 13/8, while Premier League new boys Huddersfield are now a distant 18/1.
Roberts future at City is up in the air even though he is contracted to the club until 2020.
He finished an 18-month loan at Celtic in June and even played against his parent club in the Champions League group stages last season.
The England Under-20 international ended the 2016-17 in outstanding form, with his haul of 11 goals and 19 assists from 43 league and cup appearances enough to catch the eyes of clubs all around Europe.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has admitted he would love to sign Roberts on a permanent deal.
“Pat would be amazing for here,” Rodgers said of signing Roberts at the weekend. “I think everyone could see that.
“But it all goes down to, one, Manchester City and how they see his future there. He has gone away on tour with them and got some game time. They will make a decision after that.”
In other Celtic transfer news, Football Insider has revealed the Hoops are in the hunt to sign a dazzling attacking midfielder as late window interest to reach fever pitch.
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