According to TEAMtalk, Celtic are hoping to beat a host of Championship clubs to the signing of former Manchester United and current Wigan man Nick Powell.

What's the story?

TEAMtalk report that Celtic, Middlesbrough, Stoke, West Brom and Leeds are all interested in Powell and the Latics are looking for a deal worth around £5m for the 24-year-old.

Powell joined Manchester United from Crewe Alexandra in a big money deal during the summer of 2012 while he was still just a teenager. Things didn't work out for the forward at Old Trafford though and after a series of loan spells he left on a free transfer in 2016.

Wigan were the ones to pick up the Englishman on a free transfer, having been the destination of Powell's first temporary move away from United. In just over two seasons back at the DW Stadium, Powell has scored 24 league goals and provided 11 assists playing in an attacking midfield role.

Step up to Celtic

So far this season Powell has been in red hot form, netting three goals and providing four assists in Wigan's first four league games in the Championship, helping his side to 12th in the table.

It seems to be clear that he has now put the memories of United behind him and is ready to kick on again in his career. A move to Celtic under Brendan Rodgers could now be perfect for Powell and the chance to play European football in the Europa league could just persuade him to choose Parkhead over other clubs in the Championship.

The former England U21 international is still young and would be a bargain buy for Rodgers as he looks to add to the double treble that the Bhoys secured last season.