Celtic are plotting a move for Sheffield United striker David Parkhouse, according to Football Insider.
The 19-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Derry City and recently had his loan period extended until October.
He’s scored 18 goals in 32 appearances and that’s been enough to get him on Celtic’s radar and they are reportedly set to assess the player regularly ahead of the January window.
Parkhouse is out of contract in the summer and would be able to sign a pre-contract agreement with Celtic in January.
Parkhouse on fire at Derry
Parkhouse has been brilliant at Derry and he scored all four goals for them in the recent EA Sports Cup semi-final that he described as the “best night of my career”. [BBC]
Derry Journal journalist Simon Collins described his performances for the club as “sensational” and said that Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill should fast-track him into the senior international side.
Collins went on to say that Parkhouse is a “typical number 9” who can score a range of different goals. He said he was most impressed by his “temperament and professional attitude”.
That sounds like a player who could develop into a real talent, but there must be a worry that if he is introduced into the senior Northern Ireland side, Celtic could face stiff competition for his signature.
The striker has made seven appearances and scored one goal for the Northern Ireland Under-21s.
Celtic have the advantage over English sides of being able to sign him on a pre-contract in January and could land a real bargain if Parkhouse continues his development at the pace he’s currently hitting at Derry.