Manchester City’s forthcoming decision on Jahmai Simpson-Pusey’s loan move to Scottish giants is expected to put the EFL Championship on high alert, with a number of second-tier clubs lining up a mid-season raid for the highly-rated defender.

According to a recent report from Jack Gaughan of the Daily Mail, the 20-year-old is expected to join the Championship in the new year.

Simpson-Pusey has spent the first half of the season on loan at Celtic, who have suffered a rare interruption to their supremacy in Scottish football’s top division, with Hearts presently leading the league standings by three points over Wilfried Nancy’s side.

However, the Manchester City youth product is unlikely to spend the entire loan period at Parkhead. Instead, it appears that he will be returning south of the border soon, having been linked with a number of undisclosed Championship clubs before joining Celtic in August.

Man City set to make Celtic and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey transfer decisions – Championship switch suggested.

According to the aforementioned update, Man City will return Simpson-Pusey from his arduous loan stay with the Scottish giants, during which he has made just one league appearance while dealing with both injuries and, when healthy, fighting his way into the first-team picture.

It’s noted that Simpson-Pusey “should head to a Championship side,” and while it’s unclear who clubs will be inquiring about the central defender’s future, one can think he’ll have plenty of options.

Last season, the then-19-year-old created history as the first defender to win the Premier League 2 player of the season award, previously won by James McAtee and Liam Delap.

Simpson-Pusey’s impressive performances as City’s age-group captain drew Pep Guardiola’s attention, and the teenager earned six appearances across all competitions in the 2024/25 season.

He played twice in the Premier League and once in the UEFA Champions League, as well as in domestic cup competitions, in what proved to be a mini-breakthrough season for the highly regarded prodigy.

Man City’s Jahmai Simpson-Pusey may be ready for the Championship amid Celtic’s disappointment.

All parties will likely be disappointed with how the trade turned out, since Simpson-Pusey arrived with high expectations despite his lack of senior football experience.

It simply hasn’t worked out, and Simpson-Pusey will have something to prove as he considers new potential locations for the winter season.

He needs to maximize his potential, and he may be expecting for enough of game time in the Championship to prove it to the Cityzens.

Simpson-Pusey is a modern, ball-playing central defender who has been honed in City’s youth ranks. His ability to bring the ball out of the backline, withstand pressure, and spread the pitch may make him an appealing proposition for Championship clubs looking to implement a progressive, possession-based style of football.

Meanwhile, the fact that the England youth international has remained on the outskirts of Guardiola’s star-studded City squad while being held in high respect by the great Spanish manager speaks loudly. The potential is evident, and a Championship club may hit gold where Celtic failed next month.