Celtic flop Jahmai Simpson-Pusey now attracting major transfer interest
Former Celtic loanee Jahmai Simpson-Pusey is being tipped for a big-money transfer after establishing himself as one of the Bundesliga’s most promising young defenders at FC Köln.
The 21-year-old endured a frustrating spell at Parkhead after joining Celtic on a season-long loan from Manchester City in the summer of 2025.
Despite arriving with a growing reputation, Simpson-Pusey struggled for opportunities under Brendan Rodgers and was omitted from Celtic’s Europa League squad.
His involvement was largely restricted to the sidelines before featuring for the B team against East Kilbride in the Challenge Cup.
The defender eventually made his first-team debut under Martin O’Neill, operating at right-back during a 4-0 victory over Kilmarnock, but was substituted after an hour.
His loan was subsequently terminated in January, allowing him to join Bundesliga outfit Köln on an initial loan deal with an option to buy.
Simpson-Pusey quickly established himself in Germany, making 14 league appearances during the second half of the campaign before Köln negotiated his permanent transfer for approximately €6million.
The England youth international has since taken his performances to another level under manager René Wagner, playing every minute of Köln’s Bundesliga campaign so far this season.
His impressive distribution has also seen him rank among the league’s leading central defenders for accurate passes in the opposition half.
Simpson-Pusey’s development was rewarded with an England Under-21 recall, making his debut against the Republic of Ireland last month.
According to COFC, Köln now anticipate receiving a ‘substantial’ transfer fee for the defender in the future, with his homegrown status in England potentially increasing his market value.
Manchester City also retain a buyback clause following his permanent departure, providing another intriguing dimension to his future.
