Man City transfer news: Academy graduate 'close' to joining Scottish Premiership champions Celtic

Manchester City defender Jahmai Simpson-Pusey is reportedly on the brink of joining Celtic.

Pep Guardiola's squad is going through what can only be described as a transitional period as they bid to regain the Premier League title.

Six new additions have been made since the end of last season, City also in a position where they need to ensure that they meet the regulations regarding homegrown talent.

Re-signing goalkeeper James Trafford in a £27m deal helps such matters and places less burden on Guardiola when it comes to promoting an academy graduate before he is deemed ready.

As a result, Manchester Evening News says that Simpson-Pusey will be spending next season in the Scottish Premiership.

© Imago

Celtic to loan Man City starlet

When City were struggling for defensive numbers in 2024-25, Simpson-Pusey was brought into the senior fold and made a total of six appearances.

Most notably, he made starts in a 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League and 4-1 reverse to Sporting Lisbon in the Champions League.

However, once signings were made during the winter transfer window, the 19-year-old did not make a single first-team appearance.

His last outing was a start against Salford City in the third round of the FA Cup on January 11, highlighting the need for a loan.

The England Under-18 international will now feature for Celtic north of the border for 2025-26, the hope being that he will gain regular football under Brendan Rodgers.

© Imago

First-choice or squad option?

Celtic have already signed Japanese defender Hayato Inamura to bolster their central-defensive options for this season.

With Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty and Liam Scales at Celtic Park, too, Rodgers will be left with five options for the middle of the backline.

Simpson-Pusey may have to bide his time for starts, even if he accumulated 112 minutes of Champions League football in 2024-25.

He also played 27 times for Man City's second-string in Premier League 2, the EFL Trophy and UEFA Youth League.