Celtic could use their 'good links' with the City Group to sign Manchester City midfielder Claudio Gomes this summer, according to journalist Pete O'Rourke.

The lowdown: Hot prospect

Signed from the Paris Saint-Germain academy in 2018, the former France youth international has spent time on loan at PSV Eindhoven and Barnsley, whilst also making 34 appearances for the Premier League champions' under-23 side.

The 22-year-old had been linked with a move to the Hoops recently, although some reports have dismissed the prospect of Ange Postecoglou wanting to bring the youngster to Parkhead.

Shedding some further light on the situation, one well-informed onlooker has now suggested that the transfer would be an eminently possible one due to the pre-existing relationship between the respective champions of England and Scotland...

Speaking to GiveMeSport, O'Rourke - who writes for Football Insider - has claimed that Celtic could feasibly land the France under-19 starlet.

He said: “That’s one to keep an eye on. I think Celtic and Manchester City do have good links they have had players go from Manchester City to Celtic in the past as well. And then they do have links through the City Group where Ange Postecoglu was working before he moved to Celtic as well so yeah, there’s obviously good links there.”

The verdict: Smart move

Although the Bhoys made a winning start to their Premiership title defence on Sunday, adding another midfield option to the Lennoxtown ranks would be a welcome piece of business.

Despite only making three senior outings during his time in Manchester, Gomes - who was dubbed a 'really exciting' signing for Barnsley by radio presenter Joe Beardsall - boasts a supreme pedigree, having come through the youth ranks at two European superpowers in PSG and Man City.

Last season, the combative French defensive midfielder scored once and provided one assist in 32 Championship outings, earning a 6.65 Sofascore rating whilst winning 2.8 duels, making 1.1 clearances and completing 25.8 accurate passes per game in the English second tier.

Valued at £900,000 and under contract at the Etihad Stadium until 2023 (Transfermarkt), loaning in Gomes and paying a portion of his £22,000-a-week salary would be the ideal move for Celtic at present, potentially with a view to landing him on a free transfer at the end of the campaign.