---
title: "Celtic: Hoops weighing up James McCarthy move"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-hoops-weighing-up-james-mccarthy-move/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Charlie Smith"
section: "Celtic News"
published: "2021-08-01T10:58:27Z"
modified: "2021-08-01T11:31:27Z"
---

# Celtic: Hoops weighing up James McCarthy move

**Celtic are discussing a move for former Crystal Palace midfielder James McCarthy, according to reliable reporter [Alan Nixon](https://twitter.com/reluctantnicko/status/1421770242229948416).**

### The Lowdown: McCarthy without a club

McCarthy is currently a free agent after his deal at Selhurst Park expired [last month](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-mccarthy/profil/spieler/45333).

The midfielder, capable of playing in a [defensive, central or advanced](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-mccarthy/profil/spieler/45333) role, has been linked with the Hoops over the last 12 months.

[Reports](https://www.teamtalk.com/news/exclusive-celtic-january-contract-offer-james-mccarthy) last November suggested Celtic were ready to make their move in January, whereas a [story](https://www.teamtalk.com/news/exclusive-newcastle-looking-beat-celtic-major-january-target) in April suggested that Newcastle United were looking to pip the Hoops to a deal.

The Irishman, who [Roy Hodgson](https://www.otbsports.com/sport/class-player-roy-hodgson-lavishes-praise-midfielder-james-mccarthy-953761) described as ‘incredible’ last year, appears to be back on Celtic’s radar, according to Nixon.

[Celtic updates!](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/web-stories/celtic-updates-11/)

### The Latest: Nixon’s claim

[Nixon](https://twitter.com/reluctantnicko/status/1421770242229948416), who writes for [The Sun](https://www.thesun.co.uk/author/alan-nixon/), was quizzed by a Celtic fan in regards to transfers on Sunday morning. He claimed there was a [possibility](https://twitter.com/reluctantnicko/status/1421769026901053442) of a central midfielder arriving, before name-checking McCarthy.

He claimed that he is free to sign and is being [discussed](https://twitter.com/reluctantnicko/status/1421770242229948416), presumably by the Hoops hierarchy.

> “McCarthy is free … and deffo being discussed…”

\[freshpress-poll id=”355724″\]

### The Verdict: Sign

McCarthy has made [272](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-mccarthy/leistungsdaten/spieler/45333) appearances in the Premier League so would bring bundles of experience to the Hoops squad.

He could be a perfect signing for the current campaign, especially with [Scott Brown](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55258684) leaving for Aberdeen. McCarthy is also just 30 years of age despite making over [450](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-mccarthy/leistungsdaten/spieler/45333) appearances for club and country during his career, so his knowledge could be crucial under Ange Postecoglou.

The Irishman is a [boyhood](https://www.scotsman.com/sport/football/celtic/boyhood-celtic-fan-and-rumoured-transfer-target-to-become-free-agent-3241249) Celtic fan, so you’d expect he would entertain the possibility of moving to Parkhead.

[***In other news: ‘Worst of the lot’, ‘Waste of a jersey’ – Many Celtic fans slam ‘imposter’ who ‘needs** **sacked****‘.***](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-news/celtic-hoops-fans-slam-greg-taylor/)