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Daily Record
Daily Record
Sport
Robbie Copeland

6 Celtic loan transfer options as Ange Postecoglou seeks next Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers

The loan market has been especially kind to Celtic in recent seasons.

It's something Ange Postecoglou made wonderful use of last term as Jota and Cameron Carter-Vickers were smash-hits from Benfica and Tottenham.

The latter is back permanently and Jota looks set to follow in the days ahead.

And with those deals concluding, attention turns to who the next loan gem at Parkhead could be.

The club have cash to splash after securing a Champions League payday, but resources aren't unlimited and Vinicius Souza has already been linked with an initial loan deal.

Here Record Sport run the rule over six more potential diamonds in the rough.

Paulo Bernardo (Benfica)

Both Celtic and Benfica have reasons to be cheerful over how Jota's loan panned out last season.

Record Sport understands negotiations are well underway to make it permanent - with a deal set to be announced this week.

And it seems the teams are keen to do business again with 20-year-old midfielder Paulo Bernardo linked.

The Portugal Under-21 star broke into the first-team in the second half of last season and is understood to be keen to fight for his place.

But his £7m price tag is similar to Jota's and a temporary switch to Parkhead - while keeping his long-term options open - could be on the agenda.

An all-round midfielder, Bernardo's pressing numbers are impressive, while he also managed 7 key passes in just 839 minutes of league action last season.

Joe Rodon (Tottenham)

Welsh defender Rodon finds himself at a crossroads strikingly similar to Carter-Vickers at Tottenham.

Signed from Swansea two years ago, the centre-back arrived with a seemingly big future ahead, but he's struggled to build on his potential with just 15 Premier League appearances.

Seemingly not rated by Antonio Conte, a loan move away looks highly likely for the 24-year-old, who still has three years to run on his deal.

Joe Rodon in action for Wales (Action Images via Reuters)

A move within the Premier League may be favoured although Spurs are likely to listen to all offers.

And with Champions League football definitely on the agenda at Celtic Park, it would be an appealing option for the 27-time Wales cap.

Keaton Parks (New York City)

Formerly on the books at Benfica, Parks was once one of US football's brightest prospects.

Now 24 and plying his trade in MLS, however, his rise to the top has plateaued somewhat.

And if he's to deliver on his potential and have the career many in his homeland expected of him, he'll need to take the jump back into Europe at some stage.

Keaton Parks on the ball for New York City (USA TODAY Sports)

The Texas-born midfielder is combative but deceptively subtle, at is at his best in a holding midfield role. He's been a regular for NYC this season and they won't be keen to lose him - especially halfway through the MLS season.

But they're also unlikely to deny him another crack at European football and he'll be on Postecoglou's radar from his time within the City Football Group.

Any loan for Parks would likely come with an option to buy, and the 18-month deal that took James Sands from New York to Rangers can be used as a yardstick for how it could be structured.

Yan Couto (Manchester City)

20-year-old Couto is a player who is on Celtic's radar after he was heavily linked last summer.

He ended up joining Braga instead - where he had a formidable season in Portugal's top flight.

Right-back isn't exactly an area of concern for Celtic right now with Tony Ralston flying high and Josip Juranovic proving a steady option.

But Couto brings something different to the table. He's a creative force of nature and seems a perfect fit for the inverted full-back role Postecoglou has coveted.

Yan Couto in action against Rangers (Getty Images)

He could be the key to unlocking tight defences and has an eye for a pass that neither Ralston or Juranovic possess.

He's also versatile enough to play on the wing or at left-back if needed.

However a lack of guaranteed first-team minutes may mean Manchester City look elsewhere for their Brazilian sensation.

Josh Wilson-Esbrand (Manchester City)

Another City youngster who could well be on the agenda is left-sided defender Josh Wilson-Esbrand.

The 19-year-old has been linked with The Express claiming the 'wonderkid' is being lined up to provide cover for Greg Taylor.

He won't be a guaranteed starter but as a natural left-back, there would be minutes available - especially if Celtic run deep into the Champions League.

He's only made one appearance for City's first-team as he impressed in the EFL Cup against Wycombe and the next step for him is regular first-team football.

Harvey White (Tottenham)

Another Spurs option, young midfielder White is a tricky one to assess given his lack of first-team involvement.

At 20 years old, he's one for the future, but a stint at Portsmouth in the first half of 2021 showed what he's all about.

White likes to break the lines from deep and he's in the Callum McGregor mould of being able to fill in at defensive midfield or higher up the pitch.

He captained Spurs' Under-23 side and was a regular on the bench in the second half of last season.

He's also played left-back in the past - a big bonus for Celtic who need cover in that position.

But with Oliver Skipp returning from injury and new arrivals expected in midfield, chances may be hard to come by.

And proving he can cut it under immense pressure at Celtic Park, and in the cutthroat physical environment of Scottish football, would be a big step forward for the youngster.

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