ROBERTS UP FOR GRABS

FORMER Celtic fans’ favourite Patrick Roberts could be up for grabs before the October 5 transfer deadline.

The 23-year-old winger, who had a successful 26-month loan period at the champions, was expected to agree a deal with Championship side Middlesbrough.

Roberts, who signed for Manchester City for £12million from Fulham in July 2015, is under contract until 2022, but is surplus to requirements at Pep Guardiola’s side and is poised for yet another temporary switch.

He spent the second half of the previous season at the Riverside and it looked as though he would sign an extension this time out, but Boro boss Neil Warnock has admitted  he has other priorities.

The veteran gaffer, in a report in the Glasgow Times, said: “I think the problem with signing Patrick is that we’d have to sign two defensive full-backs and I have more priorities.

“I’d like to sign full-backs and I’d like to sign Patrick, but I have to sort of juggle what I’ve got, what I can spend, what the chances are and at the moment it’s not a priority to sign a wide player.”

Roberts has already had two unsuccessful stints at Girona and Norwich City and could find himself on the move again as he searches for first-team football.

The youngster was a wow in his stint at Parkhead with many fans pushing for the club to attempt to make the move permanent.

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