CHELSEA midfielder Charly Musonda, who has been linked with Celtic, is set to leave Stamford Bridge with Bournemouth eyeing up a loan move.
The Belgian Under-21 star will be allowed to quit the English champions on a temporary deal after the £15million arrival of Ross Barkley from Everton.
Brendan Rosgers was keen on the highly-rated 21-year-old playmaker in the summer, but opted for a £4.5million permanent move for Manchester City’s French starlet Olvier Ntcham.
The Hoops’ interest cooled when they were informed Musonda was seen as part of the London outfit’s first team squad.
He made an appearance in the FA Cup on Saturday as a second-half substitute.
Antonio Conte now wants the player to go to a team where he’ll get regular game time, with clubs from around Europe interested in his services.
Musonda spent last season on loan at Spanish outfit Real Betis before returning to his parent club.
However Paddy Roberts is close to returning after limping off in the 1-1 draw at Motherwell in November.
The hugely talented player was close to joining Celtic on a permanent deal last summer and it could be a case of second time lucky for Brendan Rodgers as he seeks to break the club’s transfer record to secure the young Englishman on a permanent deal.
The CQN Podcast: A Celtic State of Mind (EP28) with former Celtic director Tom Grant
Paul John Dykes and Kevin Graham are joined by Celtic’s ex-director, Tom Grant, who offers a fascinating insight into the running of the club in the 1980s and 1990s.
Tom Grant explains exactly why Celtic refused to complete the Mo Johnston transfer in 1989, and lifts the lid on audacious efforts by Billy McNeill to recruit Peter Beardsley and Steve Bruce.
Tom Grant also dissects his relationship with Fergus McCann, and the impact of the ‘Celts For Change’ movement in overturning the ‘family dynasty’ board in 1994.
Jim Craig made two of the three goals in the 1967 European Cup Final. Get Jim’s new Lisbon Lion Diary – Right Back to 67 from CQNBookstore.co.uk and you will receive a signed copy from the man himself plus a FREE copy of That Season in Paradise – Ten Months of Celtic Heaven signed by fellow Lisbon Lion Bertie Auld! Simply order Jim Craig – Right Back to 67 and the second book will be sent automatically.
