Sky Sports journalist Anthony Joseph has revealed that Celtic are ‘closely monitoring’ Manchester City defender Taylor Harwood-Bellis ahead of a potential move to the Scottish Premiership this summer.

The Lowdown: Harwood-Bellis profiled

As per the Premier League club’s official website, the 20-year-old is an academy graduate of the Sky Blues after first joining at the age of just six. He’s worked his way up through the ranks, having been part of the U18s squad before being handed his senior first-team debut in 2020 in the 3-0 Carabao Cup victory over Preston North End.

The £6.3m-rated centre-back spent the second half of last season out on loan in the English second tier with Stoke City, and having impressed during his spell with the Potters, appears to have caught the eye of multiple potential suitors, including the Hoops.

The Latest: Celtic ‘closely monitoring’ Harwood-Bellis

Speaking to GiveMeSport, Joseph revealed that Celtic still want to add another centre-back to their ranks, despite securing Cameron Carter-Vickers, and says that Harwood-Bellis could be the man. He said:

“I think after getting Carter-Vickers, Celtic would like to add another centre-back, because I’d imagine they feel Jullien may leave, or may need to take time before he gets back to first-team level. Taylor Harwood-Bellis is someone who they’re closely monitoring.”

The Verdict: An exciting prospect

Even though Harwood-Bellis is still at a very young age, he looks to be an exciting prospect and already has plenty of experience under his belt, making him a player that would slot nicely into Ange Postecoglou’s defence.

Standing at 6 foot 2, not only does the Stockport-born talent have the physicality required to jump into the senior game full pelt, but he also uses his presence smartly, having averaged 3.5 clearances and 1.9 interceptions per game for Stoke last term, via WhoScored.

The City starlet is additionally a regular feature in England’s U21s side, having captained the Three Lions in their recent European Championship Qualifiers, showing that he has natural leadership qualities, an attribute that would be the perfect addition to the Bhoys’ starting XI or squad.

In other news… Celtic could now be planning a loan-to-buy deal to sign one of their transfer targets.