Ligue 1 side hope to finalise loan move for Man City winger Patrick Roberts on Monday – report – City Watch

Ligue 1 side Nice are hoping to finalise a loan deal for Manchester City winger Patrick Roberts as quickly as possible, local source Nice-Matin reports this evening.

The 20-year-old has a host of clubs on his trail, but Nice, who today agreed a deal in principle for Wesley Sneijder and have City cult hero Mario Balotelli on their books, want him in before they name their 25-man squad to face Napoli in the Champions League qualifiers at midnight on Monday.

City must now decide whether a year at a prominent Ligue 1 side is the best move for the development of Roberts, who spent 18 successful months on loan at Celtic in Scotland. Ligue 1 is certainly a step up from the Scottish league and he would face the likes of PSG, Monaco and Marseille, while also potentially playing in the Champions League group stage if Nice can overcome Napoli.

However, several Premier League clubs are also said to be interested in the promising winger and could make City think twice about sending him to France.