Celtic enter race for in-demand youth international as double summer transfer deal targeted
Celtic eye two additions as part of planned summer rebuild.
Celtic have entered the race for highly-rated Swedish youth international Zinedin Smajlovic as part of the club’s summer transfer rebuild, according to reports.
The Scottish champions have endured a season of turmoil, battling to defend their title under three different managers. Starting with Brendan Rodgers, the head coach was replaced by Wilfried Nancy following his resignation in December, but he lasted just 33 days in the role after losing five of his seven games in charge. In between, 74-year-old Martin O’Neill has taken the reins.
Three points behind league leaders Hearts with just four games remaining, Celtic are in danger of losing their Scottish Premiership crown, and reports claim the Hoops’ hierarchy have begun to identify a list of summer targets as they aim to wrestle back their domestic dominance should they fall short in their bid to defend their title.
And it appears two of their primary targets are two up-and-coming young centre-backs from Europe. The Glasgow giants are said to be ready to battle with Toulouse and Bodo/Glimt to bring Sandefjord defender Smajlovic to Parkhead this summer, according to Italian transfer journalist Rudy Galetti, while reports in Poland claim they are also ready to reignite their interest in KS Cracovia’s Oskar Wojcik.
Smajlovic was named in the Norwegian top flight’s team of the season, and is said to be one of the “most interesting defensive profiles in Scandinavia”. A modern-day centre-half that blends physicality with progressive passing typically seen in midfielders, the 21-year-old has attracted attention from several European sides, with Galetti claiming Celtic are amongst the interested parties.
Wojcik, 22, was understood to have interest from Celtic during the winter transfer window as they looked to bolster their defensive options, although no move materialised. Reports say a bid of £3.5million was knocked back by the Ekstraklasa outfit. The 6ft 3in defender is viewed as one of Poland’s most promising young talents, and has been described as a ‘revelation’ after his standout season at the Jozef Pilsudski Stadium. Newly promoted Coventry City are also said to be keeping tabs on his situation.
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