According to Birmingham Live, Celtic are keen on Micah Richards and Aston Villa could be open to letting the defender leave. Richards hasn’t played a game for over two years due to ongoing injury problems at Villa Park, but Celtic could offer the English international an escape route.
Richards has made 31 appearances for Villa since joining the club from Manchester City in 2015 but hasn’t played a game since featuring against Wolverhampton Wanderers on October 15, 2016. His contract is up next summer, but he may leave earlier than that if Celtic make an official approach.
With James Chester, Axel Tuanzebe, Tommy Elphick and Kortney Hause for options at centre-back, Villa don’t need Richards. Dean Smith is unlikely to stand in his way if he wants to leave. The defender’s lack of match fitness might put off Celtic signing him, however, as reports state he’s unable to play more than one game a week.
The Hoops might be better off waiting until next summer to make an approach for Richards as he’ll be a free transfer in just a matter of months.
Crippy Cooke’s previous article
Opinion: Aston Villa forward could leave in January, Dean Smith will let him ‘move on loan’
