TBR View: Celtic linked with defender in 2017, they cannot let Leeds or Ancelotti buy him now

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Celtic were linked with a move for Manchester City defender Tosin Adarabioyo back in 2017, and now the Scottish Champions have got to go back in for the centre-back – given Leeds United and Everton are reportedly keen to sign him this summer.

Adarabioyo, 22, broke into the Manchester City team as a teenager and has clocked up eight senior appearances for the Premier League champions. He has since gone on loan to both West Brom, and now Blackburn in the Championship.

Football website 90Min have claimed that a whole host of English clubs are interested in the City defender. It is believed Leicester, Newcastle, Southampton and Wolves are also in the race – with Leeds and Everton interested.

Though he has not reached what his potential promised, he is still a top English defender with plenty of quality. So much so that 90Min claim City value the defender at around £20million. But he is set to enter the final 12 months of his contract.

That may see the value reduce. The Scottish Sun claimed in 2017 that Brendan Rodgers wanted to bring Adarabioyo to Celtic, with the two clubs having a strong connection – given deals for Olivier Ntcham, Patrick Roberts and Daniel Arzani.

The Hoops do have options at centre-back but lack much cover. Christopher Jullien, Kris Ajer and Jozo Simunovic are first choice, with Neil Lennon preferring a back three of late. But other than that, there is little cover.

With that enormous price tag likely to reduce, and even the possibility of a loan next season, Celtic should re-enter the market for a player that would be deemed a real coup given the Premier League interest.

A lack of cover at centre-back and plenty of quality easily good enough for Scottish football, Adarabioyo would be a top signing for Celtic if they look to rediscover their 2017 interest in the defender.