Bayern Munich are preparing to snatch another Celtic kid this summer- Barry Hepburn, in tandem with Manchester City who have also set their sights on another highly rated academy prospect.
Midfield talent Josh Adam and academy winger Barry Hepburn are all set to head off to European heavyweights Manchester City and Bayern Munich respectively.
Scotland Under-17s starlet Barry Hepburn still has a year to run on his youth registration, something that isn’t recognised by UEFA at that level, and has apparently rejected professional contract terms offered to him by the Parkhead club leaving Celtic officials disappointed at his decision. As a result, cross border move at this age is quite possible despite the additional year left on his contract.
Meanwhile, his 16-year-old teammate Josh Adam also looks set for a departure after being heavily scouted by Manchester City officials since he dazzled a year ago for the Hoops youths at the prestigious Marc Overmars tournament held in Holland and was adjudged player of the competition for his remarkable performances.
Manchester City have reportedly had a hefty six-figure bid for the Scotland youth starlet rejected by the Hoops. However, since the player has reached the age where he can sign his first pro contract, Manchester City has swooped in and agreed terms with the player, leaving Celtic with only a modest UEFA determined cross-border development fee.
At Bayern Munich, Barry Hepburn will be joined by former Celtic academy star Liam Morrison who moved there last summer and is presently being coached by former Germany international Miroslav Klose.
Celtic are getting increasingly frustrated by such occurrences and are particularly incensed by the Barry Hepburn case where former recruitment man and now agent David Moss is said to have played a leading role in the transfer of Hepburn to the Bavarian club.
Even though Celtic have previously managed to agree professional terms with rising academy prospects like Karamoko Dembele and striker Adam Brooks, the potential loss of emerging talents like Josh Adam and Barry Hepburn will represent a significant blow to the club and their academy prospects. Both are said to be highly rated within the club by the coaching staff and despite being offered assurances of fast track into the first team, lure of playing for the some of the biggest clubs in the world seemed to be too great for the two.