Celtic could be pushed to speed up their move for Veljko Milosavljevic, with Red Star Belgrade now said to be ready to drop their asking price for the young defender.

The 17-year-old centre-back has been on Celtic’s radar for several weeks. Earlier in the summer, it was reported the club offered £5.1 million for the player, but that bid was turned down.

However, Red Star are now thought to be willing to do business if an offer of around £6 million is put on the table.

The situation has become more urgent with news that Everton have made contact over a possible move. Max Sport report that the Premier League club are stepping up their interest, which could force Celtic to act fast to avoid being left behind in the race.

Milosavljevic is seen as one of the top young talents in Serbia and has already played for Red Star’s first team. His calmness and strong defensive ability have made him a standout at youth level, attracting attention from across Europe.

Celtic are keen to bring him in as part of their long-term planning, following a recent trend of signing young players with potential to develop.

With Everton now in the picture, Celtic may not have long to get a deal done. Red Star’s willingness to negotiate gives them a window of opportunity, but the club will need to be decisive if they want to win the race.

The next few days could be key. If Celtic want to sign Milosavljevic, they may have to go in with a stronger offer and tie up the deal before Premier League money takes it out of reach.