Celtic have reportedly had a bid for Veljko Milosavljevic rejected by Red Star Belgrade. The 17-year-old defender is seen as a top young talent, and his Serbian club have set a price of €10 million (around £8.4 million) to let him go. Celtic are hoping to strengthen the defence after missing out on the Treble this season. [Meridian Sport]
Celtic lost the Scottish Cup final to Aberdeen on penalties on Saturday, which ended their hopes of winning all three domestic trophies. But the Hoops are reportedly already moving quickly in the transfer market. Brendan Rodgers knows Celtic must be ready for tough Champions League qualifiers in August, and adding strong players at the back is clearly a focus.
St Mirren’s Mikael Mandron in action with Celtic’s Liam Scales REUTERS/Scott Heppell
Milosavljevic is not only wanted by Celtic. Big European clubs like Paris Saint-Germain, and Everton have also watched him closely. All three clubs have scouted the centre-back, who has stood out in Serbia for his height, strength, and calmness on the ball.
Even though he’s just 17, Milosavljevic has already played at senior level and looks comfortable doing so. He is over six feet tall and plays with confidence, which is rare for someone his age. Red Star believe they have a star on their hands, and they are not willing to sell him cheaply.
Celtic already have several centre-backs in the squad, including Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales, Maik Nawrocki, and recent signing Auston Trusty. But some defenders spent the season out on loan, like Gustaf Lagerbielke and Stephen Welsh.
Rodgers wants more options in defence. Celtic have a lot of games coming up, including European qualifiers, and the Irishman knows he needs a strong squad to compete on four fronts. Signing a young defender like Milosavljevic would be a step toward building for the future, as well as helping right away.
For now, Celtic must decide whether to increase their offer or move on to other targets. Red Star won’t make it easy. But if the Hoops are serious about bringing in top young talent, they may need to spend more to get deals done.
Celtic have made their move, but whether they land Milosavljevic depends on how much they’re willing to push. The summer window hasn’t officially opened in Scotland, but it’s good to see the Hoops being proactive.
