Huge Celtic blow: £15m price tag slapped on PL ace who wants permanent Hoops move – report
By Richard Parks
Celtic will have to shell out £15million to sign Patrick Roberts permanently from Manchester City, according to a report.
The Daily Record claim the Premier League leaders could be willing to offload the winger, 21, this summer but their valuation of him is more than double the Hoops’ £6million record signing Chris Sutton.
It is said that it is likely Roberts will end up joining another Premier League club in the forthcoming window if he quits City.
The forward has become a fan favourite at Parkhead during the two loan spells he has at the club since initially joining in January 2016.
In an interview, hosted by Laurie Ross insurance, and as quoted by the Daily Record, Roberts was asked by young Celtic supporters if he would like to stay at the club to help them seal ten-in-a-row, which would mean remaining until the summer of 2021.
“I would love to be here but I can’t really say much on that,” Roberts said. “Something like that is massive and especially for Celtic to do it would be huge, and I’m sure they’ll do it and I’ll be part of it if I’m here or not.”
Roberts has been sidelined since November with a serious hamstring problem but was on the bench for the last two league fixtures and is now fully fit.
Football Insider verdict:
Roberts’ recent declaration of love for Celtic is music to the ears of fans who would love him to extend his stay at the club into a fourth season and beyond. The winger has made a huge impact at the club, with 18 goals and 24 assists from 72 appearances, and has been sorely missed over the last four months while on the sidelines. His mobility, technical ability and cutting edge make him a key member of the front line, and the best to watch when on song. Roberts’ desire to stay for another three years is fascinating, but he has two years remaining on his City contract and they hold all the aces. Celtic won’t want to blow their entire summer budget on one player, so it is difficult to see them signing Roberts unless there is a major shift in transfer strategy.
In other Celtic news, it has been revealed today that the Scottish champions have launched a bid to sign the a brilliant English Championship player who is out of contract this summer.
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