Scottish Premiership giants Celtic are reportedly close to signing Croatian defender Filip Benkovic from Premier League side Leicester City.
Filip Benkovic has been on Celtic’s radar since January 2017. And even a £13 million move to Leicester City this summer has not stopped The Hoops from trying to bring the young defender to Parkhead.
The Scottish Sun claimed in November last year that they had scouted Benkovic in action for Croatian outfit Dinamo Zagreb. Despite previously baulking at his £17 million price-tag, Celtic were still keeping a close eye on the Croatian’s progress.
And almost a year on, it seems that Benkovic is finally on his way to Glasgow, via Leicester.
According to Sky Sports (live blog, 30 August, 22:28), the 21-year-old is close to joining the reigning Scottish Premiership champions on a season-long loan from Claude Puel’s Foxes.
Benkovic was spotted in the crowd as Brendan Rodgers’ Bhoys qualified for the Europa League group stage with a 3-0 win over Lithuanian side Suduva on Thursday. And he should become a Celtic player on Friday, just three days after making his Leicester debut in the EFL Cup thrashing of Fleetwood Town.
Benkovic is a much needed addition for Celtic, particularly with the Scottish Sun claiming that forgotten man Marvin Compper could be on his way out after playing just 83 minutes in green and white.
It is understood that Benkovic could even make his debut against Rangers in Sunday’s Old Firm derby.
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