Srdjan Plavsic has been linked with a summer switch to Celtic after impressing in his native Serbia with Red Star Belgrade.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers could have another talent on his hands
Srdjan Plavsic had a difficult decision to make. Remaining at his beloved Red Star Belgrade, based in his home country of Serbia, would set him on the path to becoming a club legend.
However, the ‘Atomic Ant’ knows, deep down, that staying in a league placed 28th in the continent by UEFA’s coefficient rankings, just one place about Kazakhstan, would make it almost impossible for him to fulfil his vast potential.
Therefore, it appears that Plavsic will be on the move this summer instead after the most impressive season of his career.
“I am ready (to leave) now,” the Serbian Under-21 international, who scored eight goals to help Red Star to the league title, said in quotes reported by the Daily Record.
“I would like to stay with Red Star my whole life but a young player can’t spend his whole career in Serbia. To take a step forward he has to move abroad.
“I will see the people at the club and speak to the manager about what happens next. We’ll see which club is best for me soon.”
If you ask Brendan Rodgers, that club is Celtic. According to the Daily Mail, the club’s head of recruitment, Lee Congerton, is set to jet off to Poland to watch Plavsic in action against Spain at the Under-21 European Championships on Friday.
Next step
Celtic have been monitoring the 5ft 5ins winger for some time and, at just £1.5 million, he would come far cheaper than some of the more ambitious names on the club’s list of transfer targets, namely Premier League pair Patrick Roberts and Ryan Kent.
Celtic have already had a £5m offer to re-sign Patrick Roberts rejected
And Rodgers will be enthused by Plavsic’s admission that a move abroad is the logical next step. The Scottish Premiership may not be the most glamorous environment but the youngster will surley be aware that countless players have earned a big money move after honing their trade in Glasgow.
Whether Plavsic will follow in the footsteps of Victor Wanyama, Virgil van Dijk or Moussa Dembele remains to be seen.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
