Stoke City could make late move for Celtic midfielder

STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - JANUARY 09: The Stoke City club badge on display outside the Bet365 Stadium before the FA Cup Third Round match between Stoke City and Leicester City at Bet365 Stadium on January 9, 2021 in Stoke on Trent, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Visionhaus)
STOKE ON TRENT, ENGLAND - JANUARY 09: The Stoke City club badge on display outside the Bet365 Stadium before the FA Cup Third Round match between Stoke City and Leicester City at Bet365 Stadium on January 9, 2021 in Stoke on Trent, England. The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Visionhaus)

Celtic have been busy through the course of the summer transfer window but even then, they could be busy in the last couple of days. We have already seen Albian Ajeti leave on loan and there could be more players on the way out while some new faces could be brought in as well. Let’s see how things turn out.

One of the players who does not have a clear role in Ange Postecoglou’s first-team plans at this point of time is James McCarthy.

McCarthy was brought in last summer on a free transfer. There were hopes that he would be able to rediscover his peak form in Celtic colours, but that has not happened. In fact, he has struggled to even make appearances off the bench during his time at Parkhead and as a result, a move away might make sense for all parties involved.

A move back to England could potentially be on the cards for the former Everton star. As tweeted out by Fraser Fletcher, Stoke City are considering a late move for McCarthy.

Stoke City could make late move for Celtic midfielder

Celtic had been linked with McCarthy for years though and it was not a surprise when they signed him last summer, as he was available as a free agent.

What was surprising though was the fact that the club decided to hand him a four-year contract, despite the fact that he was 30 years of age and had a history of injury problems.

It has not worked out for McCarthy at Celtic to say the least and now, it remains to be seen if he can find his way back to England this summer. If he does stay on, there seems to be very little chance of him getting any significant playing time, unless an injury crisis hits the club.