With not much time left in the winter transfer window, it is very clear that Celtic need to be pretty efficient with the moves they make. They have not done that so far this month. Two deals have been completed, both loans. Julian Araujo has been brought in from Bournemouth. Tomas Cvancara has arrived from Borussia Monchengladbach. Neither was in form in the first half of the season. So, they will be looking to get things back on track at Parkhead.
It looks like loan deals might be the theme of this window for Celtic. And in a way, it does make sense. Martin O'Neill will be leaving in the summer, and the next manager might come in with different plans. So, it might not be wise to make too many long-term additions at the moment.
Quality players can be brought in on loan as well though. And if options to buy can be agreed, as they have done with Cvancara, it would be ideal.
A new name has now cropped up in the Celtic transfer rumour mill. But unfortunately, it might not be easy to pull off.
Celtic make contact to sign Manchester City midfielder
As reported by The Celtic Way, the club made contact with Manchester City this week regarding a potential loan for Divine Mukasa. However, it is believed that Pep Guardiola is unlikely to allow the midfielder to leave.
That would be an understandable stance on the part of Manchester City, if you consider how badly Celtic handled Jahmai Simpson-Pusey's loan spell at the club. He was brought in the summer but was never really given a fair chance to show what he was capable. The deal was cut short this winter.
As a result, it is only logical that Manchester City would be wary of sending another youngster on loan to Celtic. Especially someone as highly regarded as Mukasa, who has already made six appearances at 18 years of age.