Celtic have been namechecked in the race to sign 18-year-old Serbian midfielder Andrej Bačanin, with Čukarički sporting director Vladimir Matijašević confirming interest from the Parkhead club.
The Serbian youth international has emerged as a sought-after talent this summer following a strong season at both club and national level. Matijašević, addressing the player’s future, revealed that Celtic are among the clubs who’ve made contact regarding a potential transfer.
“There’s significant interest in our young players, and right now the spotlight is on Andrej Bačanin’s transfer,” he told the official club website. “His performances last season for both our team and the Serbian national side at youth level have drawn attention from numerous clubs.
“We’ve had enquiries from Scottish giants Celtic and Rangers, and clubs like Ajax and Udinese are also interested, among others. It’s possible more options will emerge, but I expect the transfer to be completed within the next ten days.”
Bačanin, who has caught the eye with his composure on the ball and sharp technical ability, is seen as a long-term project by those tracking his development. The level of interest signals a significant opportunity for Čukarički, with Matijašević making clear the scale of the potential deal: “I expect this to be another major outgoing transfer for Čukarički — one that will cover our club’s entire budget.”
For Celtic, any move for Bačanin would likely fall into the category of a development signing. The club remains active in the transfer market but is also balancing short-term needs with long-term strategy. With the season opener around the corner, Celtic’s squad is still in flux — and younger additions may be targeted to evolve behind the scenes.
The Hoops are due to fly out to Italy this week to take part in the Como Cup, with final pre-season preparations taking place back in Glasgow ahead of the Scottish Premiership’s return.
Bačanin may not be a name that moves the needle immediately, but the Serbian youngster could become one to watch — especially if Celtic firm up their interest in the coming
