Celtic have been tipped to edge out a number of top flight English sides including Leicester, Leeds and Aston Villa to sign Josh Feeney from Fleetwood Town.
The defender turned 16 on Thursday and has been part of Fleetwood’s matchday squad in recent weeks while completing his studies and is currently on exam duty.
#NewProfilePic pic.twitter.com/eLTpw9QIqW
— joshua feeney (@joshuafeeney6) March 25, 2020
Those studies could be pushed to one side with a high profile move with Celtic having the advantage of a cross-border transfer fee which is a route that they have used to bring in Liam Shaw from Sheffield Wednesday for next season.
With his contract expiring at the end of this season the teenager looks like having the option to go professional at Fleetwood, move into the EPL or perhaps move north to Celtic having been involved in Scotland youth squads.
The Daily Mail reports:
Celtic may have an advantage if they formalise their pursuit given cross-border compensation fees are significantly lower for academy players.
Feeney has been called up for international camps by both England and Scotland at Under-16 level amid an ongoing battle for his allegiance.
The youngster has been promoted to Fleetwood’s first team group since the appointment of Simon Grayson as manager earlier in the campaign.
He will not travel to Ipswich Town for the Cod Army’s final game of the season, however, because exam season starts on Monday morning.
Feeney would have become the sixth-youngest debutant in EFL history had he come off the bench against MK Dons last weekend.
Another day, another step! ?
15-year-old Josh Feeney was on the bench for yesterday’s win over Doncaster! ? #OnwardTogether pic.twitter.com/HY1AGLLRTc
— Fleetwood Town FC (@ftfc) April 25, 2021
Celtic can highlight the development of Leo Hjelde who was signed in similar circumstances from Rosenborg two years ago and is now getting first team football at Ross County before returning to Celtic for pre-season training.