OPINION
Brendan Rodgers’ reported pursuit of Patrick Roberts took a blow as the Man City youngster was included in Pep Guardiola’s side to face Girona, and now Celtic should instead look elsewhere.
Sky Sports reported that the Hoops could now miss out on the 20-year-old attacker as Guardiola included him in the City squad to face the Spanish side in a friendly on Tuesday night.
That should convince former Liverpool boss Rodgers to scour the market for another winger, which could see the Hoops turn their attention to Benfica speed machine Andre Carrillo.
The Daily Mail claimed in their transfer news blog that Premier League side Watford are interested in taking the 26-year-old loan with a view to a permanent £15million move at the end of the temporary deal.
Carrillo possesses bags of pace from out wide but has plummeted down the pecking order at Benfica due to the likes of Eduardo Silvio, Rafa Silva and Franco Cervi.
It has seen the 36-time Peru international become available this summer, with Watford boss Marco Silva looking to form a reunion after working with the Benfica ace at former side Sporting Lisbon.
However, Rodgers will be looking to add players with Champions League experience before the end of the transfer window after all but qualifying for the group stages of the competition.
The 48-time Scottish champions beat FC Astana 5-0 in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie, and will now face the Kazakhstan outfit in the second leg before receiving a huge windfall for qualifying.
That will give them the money to secure a deal for a player such as Carrillo, who would be a huge signing should he be brought to Parkhead this summer.
Blistering pace, tricks up his sleeve and 31 career appearances in the Champions League and Europa League, Carrillo will be crucial in adding both cover out wide as a move for Roberts looks in doubt as well as providing Celtic with the necessary quality to earn European football after Christmas.
Although £15million is a figure likely to be out of the Hoops’ reach, if they can secure a loan-to-buy deal that would see Celtic confirm a permanent deal next summer for around £10million, then they will secure a major coup.