Celtic are reportedly interested in Manchester City youngster Taylor Harwood-Bellis, according to reports.

What's the word?

As per Sky Sports, Ange Postecoglou's side are believed to be 'monitoring' the 20-year-old ahead of a potential deal, albeit with contact yet to be made regarding a possible switch.

The report suggests that the Scottish champions are keen to strengthen defensively this summer - at both centre-back and left-back - even if they manage to secure Cameron Carter-Vickers on a permanent deal.

The desire to bolster at centre-back has also been heightened by Christopher Jullien's 'uncertain' situation, as per the report, with the Frenchman having been linked with a return to Ligue 1.

Frimpong 2.0

As the report also outlines, the Old Firm outfit have enjoyed good relations with City - and the City Football Group - over the last few years, having brought in a number of players from the Etihad that have gone on to do well north of the border.

One such figure to have impressed after making the move from Manchester to Glasgow was young Dutchman Jeremie Frimpong, the attacking full-back having been signed straight from the academy back in 2019.

Having joined for a reported fee of just £1m, the Amsterdam-born ace went on to quickly catch the eye at Parkhead, eventually recording 11 goal contributions in 51 appearances in all competitions over the next 18 months.

Such were the nature of his displays that it wasn't long before one of Europe's elite came knocking, with Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen plucking him for €11m (£9.3m) in January 2021 - representing a tidy profit for the club.

Although Postecoglou and co will be more concerned with the potential impact that Harwood-Bellis could have on the pitch were he to join this summer, the Frimpong example illustrates how the club can successfully nurture young talent in order to generate funds, with the player also aware that Celtic Park offers the platform to impress as well as win silverware.

The £6.3m-rated defender has spent time on loan at Blackburn Rovers, Anderlecht and most recently at Stoke City in the Championship, having failed to really break into Pep Guardiola's first-team thoughts.

In his time away from his parent club, however, the Stockport-born starlet has certainly showcased his talent, with Tony Mowbray having praised the "old school" youngster for his "aggressive" approach during his time at Ewood Park.

It would no doubt be a step up to join a club who are set to compete in the Champions League next term, although as the Frimpong case study shows, there is a pathway to success for emerging prospects at Celtic.

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