Outlining an Ideal Scenario for Manchester City's Celtic Loanee John Guidetti

Three seasons ago, John Guidetti appeared to have the world at his feet. He was contracted to Manchester City, who had high hopes for him, and was on loan at Feyenoord in the Dutch Eredivisie to get some top-level European experience.

He bagged 20 goals in 23 games and became a hero with the fans. It was one of the most successful loan spells of recent times.

The player got games, his parent club watched on happily as he gained valuable experience and continued his development, and Feyenoord had one of the stars of the Dutch league. It’s exactly how loan spells are meant to go.

Since then, things haven’t gone to plan. A virus affecting his nervous system saw him sidelined and unable to train or stay fit due to loss of feeling in his right leg. He’s never looked quite the same player since, understandable given what he’s been through, but this season, in a bid to get back to some kind of fitness, he has enjoyed a period playing for Celtic in the SPFL.

It’s a move which has been mixed. Whereas his temporary switch to Stoke City last season, which saw him make only six substitute appearances, was a waste of time for Guidetti, his loan deal with Celtic has at least offered him regular first-team involvement, something he has long needed.

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Eleven goals in his first 12 games for Celtic saw him become a hit with the club’s supporters; however, a 10-game drought followed. He’s back on the goal trail again now, though, having scored two in his last four appearances. He’s been consistently involved and looks to have benefited hugely from the experience.

But what’s the ideal scenario for him this summer?

City have progressed rapidly since Guidetti first joined the club, and his contract there is up in the summer. Celtic are surely interested, but given the promise he has shown during his career, he is likely to prefer a move to a higher-profile league.

Given his standing at Feyenoord and the fact that he enjoyed by far the best spell of his career there, a move back there seems like the best option.

And according to Keith Jackson writing in the Daily Record, the Dutch side remain keen admirers and are weighing up a summer move.

Martin van Geel, Feyenoord’s technical director, was in Glasgow to watch Celtic’s match with Aberdeen recently, and Jackson believes he was close to offering £5 million for the striker last summer only to be put off by the player’s past fitness problems. However, taking him on a free transfer is far less risky and a summer move surely beckons.

A source told Jackson: “There is a strong connection between Feyenoord and Guidetti and he is adored by the club’s fans.

“Van Geel is also a huge admirer and was close to making a big offer for him in the summer. But he’s been to Glasgow now in person which is an indication of the level of their interest.”

It would be the perfect solution for the 22-year-old. After more than three years of stalling, his career finally appears to be on an upward curve again.

Perhaps a move to the club where he performed so well and struck up such a wonderful rapport with the fans would provide him with the best possible boost ahead of the next chapter of his career.

Rob Pollard is Bleacher Report's lead Manchester City correspondent and will be following the club from a Manchester base throughout the 2014-15 season. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted. Follow him on Twitter: @RobPollard.