CELTIC are plotting a move for Manchester City transfer guru Fergal Harkin as they revamp their backroom team.
The champions have been linked with the Irishman, currently Scouting and Recruitment Operations Manager at the English giants, for their new proposed post as director of football.
Harkin has a vast knowledge of up-and-coming prospects and is a key man in Pep Guardiola’s set-up.
He has been hugely instrumental in the Etihad outfit’s transfer network, deciding where young players go on temporary switches and he possesses an extensive knowledge of the global market, according to a report in the Scottish Sun on Sunday.
Celtic and City have cultivated a strong relationship in recent years. Brendan Rodgers paid £4.5million for Olivier Ntcham in June 2017 and the French midfielder has just joined Marseille on loan. The clubs also combined in the arrival of Jeremie Frimpong in September 2019 in a deal that rose to £1million. City will now receive something in the region of £3.5million for the 20-year-old Dutchman as part of their sell-on contract following the right-back’s £11.5million move to Bayer Leverkusen.
The club’s have also been involved in loan switches with the likes of fans’ favourite Patrick Roberts, Jason Denayer and Daniel Arzani arriving in Glasgow over the past six or so years.
That link is partly down to Donegal-born Harkin who could be lured to Parkhead as the club plan a new-look regime.
Peter Lawwell will retire from his chief executive role he has held since 2003 with Scottish rugby supremo Dominic McKay taking over in June.
Nicky Hammond is already heading up the recruitment side which has been heavily critised in a campaign that has gone disastrously wrong with the £9.5million worth of purchses in the shape of Vasilis Barkas and Albian Ajeti failing to convince since their summer arrival.
A massive revamp is on its way as the club regroup and prepare to relaunch into a new era with their bid for the historic tenth successive title just about over.
Harkin, a former player with Finn Harps, may have a role to play in new-look Celtic.
