Celtic set to sign Manchester City defender on season-long loan | OneFootball

Manchester City are close to finalising a season-long loan agreement with Celtic for highly-rated centre-back Jahmai Simpson-Pusey ahead of the new season.

The move marks the latest development in what has been a busy summer of transfer activity surrounding Manchester City’s emerging defensive talents.

Following earlier reports that Celtic were leading the race for Simpson-Pusey’s signature, the Scottish Premiership champions now appear to have secured a deal, seeing off competition from the English Championship.

Simpson-Pusey’s rise through the ranks at City has captured the attention of scouts and coaches across the country, with the teenager having established himself as a standout figure across various youth levels.

A commanding, left-sided centre-back, he has long been earmarked as one of the brightest defensive prospects in the club’s development system, with senior football now seen as the logical next step in his evolution.

This summer, Manchester City have received numerous loan enquiries for young defenders, including names such as Max Alleyne, Kaden Braithwaite, and Lakyle Samuel, and Simpson-Pusey’s expected switch forms part of a wider youth loan strategy for the 2025/26 campaign.

According to the Manchester Evening News’ Simon Bajkowski, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey is set to join Scottish Premiership giants Celtic on loan for the duration of the forthcoming 2025/26 season.

It is explained that an agreement for the centre-back is now in its final stages after the 19-year-old opted to choose Celtic over a number of Championship clubs as his next destination in his career.

While no official announcement has yet been made, final paperwork is expected to be completed shortly and a move to Celtic will offer Simpson-Pusey the chance to test himself in European competition, as well as domestically in one of the most physically demanding leagues in the country.

Regular minutes in a high-pressure environment – particularly at a club like Celtic with league titles and trophies consistently on the line from the first whistle – could play a transformative role in his development.

For Manchester City, the temporary switch serves both immediate and long-term interests; Simpson-Pusey gains experience and exposure, while the club retain full control over his future and monitor his progress.

The expectation is that Celtic will offer a clear development pathway and a system that allows him to thrive, similar to the approach taken with other loanees such as Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Callum Doyle in past seasons.

Should Simpson-Pusey impress during his loan spell in Glasgow, it could lead to greater first-team involvement at the Etihad Stadium from next summer, or even open up pathways into higher-tier clubs across Europe.

With the defender still under long-term contract at Manchester City, the 2025/26 campaign could be the defining year that determines how and when he makes the leap to top-level senior football.