MIDDLESBROUGH have emerged as a contender for the signature of Paddy Roberts from Manchester City after their manager Johnathan Woodgate confirmed that he is keen to make Roberts’ stay in Teeside permanent.
The Middlesbrough manager spoke to TeesideLive about his plans for bolstering his squad having prioritised recruitment during the Coronavirus pandemic and has said that he would love to re-sign the 23-year-old.
“We’re in unprecedented times and we don’t know how things are going to work out, but I’d love to sign them, I’m a big fan of them both.”
Roberts joined Boro on loan from Manchester City in January after an unhappy spell at Carrow Rd with Norwich. Despite Roberts’ quality, Boro find themselves towards the bottom of the EFL Championship, just two points away from the relegation zone.
Roberts’ best time in recent years has to be the 2016/17 season in which he was unplayable at times. Reports last month suggested that Celtic were keen to sign the English attacker in a cut price deal of £3m but City were hesitant to accept, instead wanting to mull over their plans for Roberts’ future.
Roberts is unlikely to break into the City first team any time soon and a move would be best for the youngster to get his career back on track.
Manchester City, who shelled out an enormous fee for Roberts to Fulham in 2015 for £12m, were keen to see the value in Roberts in other markets. He was therefore sent to Girona, Norwich and Middlesbrough but injuries have curtailed his progress.
Roberts scored 18 goals in 79 appearances in Scotland and was very impressive under Brendan Rodgers in the Invincible season. He may be keen on a move to Celtic as it would give him the chance to settle, something he hasn’t had the opportunity to do since leaving Celtic.
INVINCIBLE by Matt Corr
The Celtic Star’s very own Matt Corr – who you may also know as a Tour Guide at Celtic Park – publishes his first Celtic book, titled INVINCIBLE – early next month. This beautiful hardback book will be the definitive story of Celtic’s magical2016-17 season – it truly is wonderful, a real joy to read, and brilliantly written by Matt.
If you have been reading Matt’s regular contributions on The Celtic Star or indeed in the Matchday Programme or in the Celtic View you will know just how talented a Celtic writer he is. The book is published by The Celtic Star and you can pre-order below.
Support Celtic Youth Development
Help raise money for Celtic Youth Development by joining the £1 weekly lottery and you could win up to £25,000 – just click the photograph below to join. Lots of our readers have already done so and they’re now doing their bit to help fund Celtic Youth Development that can deliver the stars of tomorrow and beyond. And you might even win a few bob too! And a special thank you to all The Celtic Star readers who have already signed up and are now supporting youth development to give us the Celtic Stars of the future…
