Ipswich Town on the Verge of Clinching Season-Long Loan Deal for Manchester City Young Gun

Mick McCarthy's Ipswich are favourites to beat their Championship rivals to the signing of Manchester City winger Bersant Celina, with a loan move looking

Mick McCarthy's Ipswich are favourites to beat their Championship rivals to the signing of Manchester City winger Bersant Celina, with a loan move looking likely for the 20-year-old.

After avoiding the drop after finishing a poor season in 16th place last year, the Irish manager is looking to add more verve and cutting edge play to an attack which scored just 48 goals last season in the league. ​Sky Sports report they have added the first piece to their jigsaw, fending off interest from rivals Bolton.

Sources suggest the Kosovo international turned them down recently after talks broke down with the Trotters. Now the Manchester City youngster has set his mind on a move to Portman Road in the hope he will gain more first-team experience.

The prodigy spent last season on loan with FC Twente, bagging five goals and five assists in 27 impressive appearances for the Dutch outfit. Celina gained his first experience of first team football under the guidance of former manager Manuel Pellegrini, making his first appearance in a FA Cup win against Norwich in 2016.

UTRECHT, NETHERLANDS - APRIL 09: Willem Janssen of FC Utrecht battles for the ball with Bersant Celina of FC Twente during the Dutch Eredivisie match between FC Utrecht and FC Twente at Stadion Galgenwaard on April 9, 2017 in Utrecht, Netherlands. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images) :: Dean Mouhtaropoulos/GettyImages

Contracted at the Etihad until 2020, Celina has three years left on his current deal with the Citizens and is highly rated by senior officials at the club. Signed by the Manchester City academy at the age of 15, since reaching his initial goal of earning a professional contract, the tricky midfielder featured a further three times for the Premier League club.