Rangers defender Nikola Katic could now be on the move on deadline, with a loan switch back to Croatia believed to be on the cards.
That’s according to The Athletic, who report that Katic is set to sign for Croatian side Hajduk Split before tonight’s transfer deadline.
Hajduk have lost star defender Mario Vuskovic – once a Celtic target earlier this summer – to Hamburg and they want Katic to come in to bolster their back line.
The 24-year-old suffered a terrible knee injury last summer, and now needs minutes in order to get back to his best at some point.
That just isn’t going to come with Rangers right now. Steven Gerrard has four senior centre backs at his disposal; Connor Goldson, Filip Helander, Leon Balogun and Jack Simpson.
A loan move makes perfect sense for Katic, who will be looking to shine back home in Croatia before returning to Rangers next summer.
His return could even come a little earlier, as Rangers are putting recall clause into the deal, meaning he could come back to Ibrox at some point this season.
The plan though is for Katic to go back home and play regular first-team football with Hajduk, which looks set to happen with Vuskovic out of the picture.
Once hailed as a ‘warrior’ and a ‘winner’ by boss Steven Gerrard, Katic now needs to go and shine elsewhere in order to save his Rangers career.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
