Will Scottish Premiership champions Celtic sign Partizan Belgrade’s Pavlovic? Neil Lennon has already watched him in the flesh.
Partizan Belgrade probably couldn’t believe their luck when the transfer window slammed shut in early September. After months of speculation, highly-rated centre-back Strahinja Pavlovic was staying in Serbia – though it seems only a matter of time before one of the best young defenders around finally gets his big break.
According to the Scottish Sun, Celtic manager Neil Lennon made a personal trip to Wales to watch Pavlovic in the flesh during Partizan Belgrade’s Europa League qualifying win against Connah’s Quay Nomads.
And, speaking to the Daily Record, the teenager admitted that he was ‘flattered’ to have caught the eye of the Scottish Premiership champions while making it clear that he dreams of playing at the very top level of the European game.
Pavlovic is one of the best held secrets on the continent right now but clubs from all over are slowly starting to become aware of his vast potential. And with the Serbian U21 star nominated for the prestigious Golden Boy award alongside the likes of Matthijs de Ligt, Frenkie De Jong and Vinicius Jr, as provided by Tuttosport, the future certainly looks bright.
De Ligt became the first defender ever to win the trophy last year and Pavlovic has his sights set on following in the footsteps of a man who swapped Ajax for Juventus in one of the summer’s most long-running transfer sagas.
And you can all-but guarantee that Celtic will be following his every step in the months ahead.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
