Celtic have been tipped to make a record transfer bid for the centre-back this summer but he is also wanted by other clubs.
Celtic should be looking to strengthen all across the pitch this summer. They were not good enough in any department last season but somehow managed to win a double. But the Hoops cannot expect to things to go on like that. The need for improvement is clear and hopefully the board will show some ambition and urgency in the upcoming transfer window.
Centre-back is one area where Celtic could do with reinforcements. Cameron Carter-Vickers spent most of the season out injured. And after the number of injuries he has suffered over the years, one can only wonder whether we will ever see him back at his best again.
In the absence of Carter-Vickers, Celtic have had Auston Trusty and Liam Scales as their starting duo at centre-back.
Most believe that they can improve in that department though. Both of them are left-footed and it might not be the best combination. It blocks off some passing angles going forward. And while defending, it can be awkward for one of them, trying to defend opposition passing lanes.
There is a reason the Hoops conceded 41 goals in the league this season. In the previous campaign, they had let in just 26. The year before that, which was also considered a poor one by their standards, opposition teams found the back of the net 30 times.
That is a huge gap. And it is one that the club must find a way to bridge this summer. The easiest way is to make a quality signing at centre-back.
According to TV2, Celtic, Toulouse and Feyenoord have all joined the race for Sandefjord's Zinedin Smajlovic.
Smajlovic has impressive physical attributes, is 22 years of age and is right-footed. He also seems extremely comfortable with the ball at his feet, whether it comes to passing or dealing with the opposition press.
So, it is not hard to see why Celtic might be interested in the youngster. But they will need to pay a record fee, at least for Sandefjord, to sign him.
The report goes on to state that the club would look for a record transfer fee to part ways with the defender. It is unclear what that figure will be. But the current record is €3 million, which was set by Stefan Ingi Sigurdarson's January move.
It is safe to say that Celtic have consistently signed players in that range and are very comfortable with it. So, if they really are convinced that Smajlovic is the right man for the job, the move should go through. Of course, they will need to get ahead of competition to do that.
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