Celtic must try to sign Manchester City youngster on loan

With Mark Lawwell being appointed as Celtic’s Head of First Team Scouting and Recruitment, fans will be hoping that he can use his network of connections to get some great transfer deals done for the Hoops this summer. He has a brilliant CV, having been with City Football Group for a decade and as a result, could be a great addition for the club.

That connection could possibly give Celtic a head start on a deal for promising Manchester City youngster James McAtee. He signed a new long term deal at the club in February of this year and there is a good possibility that he could continue his development out on loan next season.

As per Alan Nixon via Patreon and as reported by Football League World, Swansea City are a club showing interest in McAtee. He will be allowed to depart on loan this summer.

McAtee is a 19-year-old attacking midfielder playing mostly in the Manchester City youth teams currently, although he has featured for the senior team as well. They have just won the Premier League 2 title and with him being one of the key members of the team. According to stats from Transfermarkt, he scored 19 goals and provided 7 assists in 25 appearances for Manchester City’s under-23s side this season. He has also represented England at the U18 and U20 levels.

Celtic must try to sign Manchester City youngster on loan

While clubs like Swansea City and Huddersfield Town rumoured to be interested, Celtic must throw their hat into the ring as well.

From a Manchester City perspective, they already know a lot about Ange Postecoglou’s style from his time at Yokohama F. Marinos, a part of the City Football Group.

Manchester City will want to make sure that McAtee gets game time at a good level. Celtic can offer potential Champions League experience alongside the Premiership and cup games. And as we have seen already, Postecoglou makes extensive use of his squad to maintain the high tempo style of play.

From a Celtic perspective, signing loan players for a year with little prospect of a permanent deal isn’t always ideal. But the chance to help build and develop their squad with some high potential talent, even on a temporary basis, can be a very useful, especially for a club on a tight budget looking to compete in the Champions League. With Tom Rogic moving on, there is space for an attacking midfielder, and a loan move for McAtee makes sense for all concerned.