Three clubs who must target Celtic loanee Jahmai Simpson-Pusey after Man City latest

Three Clubs Celtic Loanee Jahmai Simpson-Pusey Could Join in January After Man City Latest

Manchester City are poised to recall 19-year-old centre-back Jahmai Simpson-Pusey from his season-long loan at Celtic due to his ongoing struggles in Scotland. Fresh reports indicate the talented defender, who joined Celtic in August 2025 until the end of the 2025/26 campaign, has yet to make his debut for the Scottish champions despite high expectations.[5]

Simpson-Pusey arrived as a highly-rated prospect from Man City, where he captained the FA Youth Cup winners in 2024, earned Premier League 2 Player of the Year honors leading the U21s to title success, and even featured in six competitive first-team games under Pep Guardiola, including Champions League minutes.[1][2][3] Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers praised him as a "quick, dominant centre-half" who excels in ball progression, positioning him to challenge Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales, and Auston Trusty.[1] However, adaptation issues have kept him on the sidelines; Rodgers described the move as a "medium to longer-term" project, noting the difficulty of breaking into a settled defense at a club like Celtic.[2]

With no appearances and exclusion from the Europa League squad alongside other new signings, City now plan to bring him back in January for regular football elsewhere.[5] The article highlights three Championship clubs as prime targets for the versatile defender, who seeks appreciation and game time after expressing excitement about Celtic's passionate environment.[1]

1. Norwich City: Seeking defensive reinforcements amid promotion push, their progressive style suits Simpson-Pusey's ball-playing ability. Recent injuries have exposed vulnerabilities.

2. Sunderland: Ambitious young squad aligns with his profile; manager loves promoting youth from top academies like City's.

3. West Brom: Needing depth for playoff contention, their physical setup matches his dominant presence, offering immediate starts.

Recalling Simpson-Pusey underscores City's development strategy, prioritizing minutes over bench time. A Championship move could accelerate his path back to elite football.[5]

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