Scottish Premiership champions Celtic reportedly want to bring Srdjan Babic to Parkhead from Red Star Belgrade in the summer.
Celtic look set to lose their most established centre-back in the summer; the 28-year-old World Cup semi-finalist Dedryck Boyata. But who is going to replace him?
According to CNN Turkey, the answer is perhaps a little-known youngster currently plying his trade in Serbian football. There is not much known about Srdjan Babic on British shores but the fresh-faced defender is certainly a work in progress.
A Serbia youth international who won the FIFA U20 World Cup in 2015, Babic is pretty much the typical Celtic signing – young, promising and with plenty of potential.
But he hardly left a lasting impression, at least not for a good reason in only his second ever appearance against British opposition. Babic lined up at centre-back as his Red Star Belgrade side played Liverpool at Anfield in October.
He was given the runaround by Liverpool’s ruthless front three, Mo Salah scoring twice alongside goals from Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane. His youth and inexperience was left brutally exposed.
Tellingly, he was dropped for the return fixture and sat on the bench as a much improved Red Star side beat Liverpool in Belgrade, keeping a clean sheet in the process.
Considering that Monaco, Feyenoord, Nice and Besiktas are all interested, it is clear that Babic is a talent. But Celtic might have to be patient with a player who has a lot to learn.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
