Report: Hajduk Split ready to sell Mario Vuskovic; Celtic face competition from Italy

By David Walton

June 24, 2021

Celtic are ready to make a move for exciting Croatian centre-back Mario Vuskovic, the Scottish Sun reports.

The report claims that both Celtic and Torino are interested in the under-21 international. The Hoops had the player watched on several occasions last season.

Split have already decided that they’ll be selling Vuskovic this summer. The Sun believes that talks have already begun between the Croatian side and the Hoops. It’s said that Hajduk value him at around £5m.

Vuskovic has been a stalwart for Split since breaking into the squad in the 2019/20 campaign. The Croat made 33 appearances for the club this season, playing a hand in 12 clean sheets [Transfermarkt].

The player has been capped at all age levels by Croatia outside of the senior side. A move to Parkhead will undoubtedly give him a chance to help realise those ambitions.

Hajduk Split defender Mario Vuskovic an exciting option for Celtic

Vuskovic would certainly suit Celtic’s potential style under new manager Postecoglou. He’s a ball-playing centre-back with strong technical ability and an impressive passing range. Something we may miss should Kris Ajer depart.

Like Ajer, the Split centre-back also likes to get forward with the ball and go on runs. This could be invaluable to Celtic in opening up space against Scottish Premiership opposition in particular.

Granted, it’ll be defending that Vuskovic is mainly responsible for. He’s proven this season with Split his ability to keep out opposition strikers.

Hajduk Split defender Mario Vuskovic in action / (Photo by Marcio Machado/Getty Images)

But Vuskovic shows the kind of heart Celtic fans like to see from their centre-backs. He throws himself in the way of everything and is highly effective when it comes to shot-blocking. The player has shown matureness at a young age with Split, and appears ready for the next step.

From a Celtic perspective, it would be a real statement of intent to go out, spend £5m, and bring him to Parkhead. It’ll come with risks like every signing considering Vuskovic has never played outside of Croatia. However, it would also be a sign that the club has got its priorities right in targeting a new centre-back.

Let’s see where this one goes. Celtic, in truth, don’t have much time to waste.

In other news, this international player reportedly won’t be signing for Celtic due to his monster wage demands.