Celtic hope to beat Middlesbrough to signing of Manchester City ace

Roberts joined Championship Boro on loan in January but only managed to feature four times before injury struck.

And now Celtic are reported to be eyeing up a summer swoop to take him back to Scotland.

TEAMtalk report: “The Bhoys are looking to take their former loan star back to Celtic Park, although Manchester City are yet to decide his long-term future, we understand.

“City paid more than £12million to secure his future from Fulham in 2015, but he has featured just three times for the club during that time, having spent the majority of his time on loan elsewhere.

“City still have Roberts under contract to 2022 and were ready to extend that deal by another 12 months to see if he can be a success for them, which is why, we understand, they have rebuffed Celtic’s offer for now.”

A bid in the region of £3million has been left on the table should City change their minds, they report.

Speaking before the coronavirus pandemic saw all football suspended, Boro boss Jonathan Woodgate spoke highly of Roberts – who can ‘create something from nothing’.

Woodgate said: “I don’t want to put too much pressure on Patrick.

“We have missed him with that link, that’s for the last couple of seasons I’d say.

“Patrick is someone who can create something from nothing.

“Turn on a sixpence, dance past someone, that’s the sort of player who we are looking to recruit.”