Celtic has cultivated a fruitful relationship with Manchester City when it comes to acquiring promising young talent at reasonable costs. Over the past decade, they’ve brought in seven players from the Premier League champions, most notably through short-term loans aimed at providing regular first-team opportunities. While not every signing was a resounding success, names like Ntcham, Roberts, Boyata, Denayer, and especially Frimpong evoke fond memories among Celtic fans.
Frimpong, in particular, stood out as a revelation during his time at Parkhead, showcasing his talents as one of Europe’s top full-backs. His impressive stats of 12 goals and 11 assists this season highlight his impact, now thriving with Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga. Celtic’s role in nurturing his development deserves recognition, reinforcing their knack for spotting and nurturing young talent from prestigious clubs like Manchester City.
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Celtic missed out on Manchester City’s Yan Couto
After Frimpong’s departure from Celtic to Leverkusen in 2021, the club aimed for another Man City talent, Yan Couto, but their pursuit ended in disappointment. Couto was initially considered for a loan move to Parkhead, as shared by former Celtic defender Gary Caldwell, who was part of the discussions that led to Couto joining Braga instead due to concerns about the language barrier.
Fast forward three years, Couto’s progress has been notable, although not quite reaching Frimpong’s heights. Playing for Girona, Couto has been a key player in their impressive run in European football, with a potential Champions League spot on the horizon. Real Madrid has shown interest in Couto, although he remains committed to Manchester City and dreams of playing for them.
Valued at around £22 million, Couto’s rise suggests that Celtic could consider exploring Man City’s young talents for potential additions to their squad, especially if Brendan Rodgers seeks to infuse more youthful vigor into the team this summer.
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