According to Sky Sports, Celtic are in talks with Leicester over a deal for Filip Benkovic.
Neil Lennon’s side are on the lookout for a new centre-back following a long-term injury to Christopher Jullien.
As a result, they have earmarked the 1-cap Croatia international – who Leicester paid £13 million for – as a target.
Sky Sports do not mention if the talks are regarding a loan deal or a permanent switch to Glasgow.
However, it is stated that Celtic would prefer a loan with an option to buy the 23-year-old.
This is a sensible move in our view, as Benkovic is a player Celtic, and Lennon, know well.
In fact, the ex-Bolton boss even told the defender he wanted him to stay at Celtic Park for another season, after he returned to Leicester from a season-long loan in Scotland.
The Scotsman quote Benkovic as saying: ‘Everyone at Celtic has told me they are happy with me. I have spoken to Neil Lennon. He told me that he would like me to stay at Celtic for another season.’
Following his first stint with the Hoops, Brendan Rodgers described him as ‘sensational’ after his return to the King Power Stadium.
The Sun quote the Foxes boss as saying: ‘Thankfully for myself, I’ve seen the level. When he was with me at Celtic he played against RB Leipzig and he was sensational.’
In light of Jullien’s injury, there will be few moves more sensible than bringing a familiar face back to Celtic Park.
Lennon, and most of the Celtic squad, have seen first-hand what Benkovic can do in Scotland, and he would be a fantastic January addition, in our view.
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