Celtic are interested in Zinedin Smajlovic, it is being reported.
He is, funnily enough, the second 6 ft 3 in, 22-year-old central defender to be linked with the Hoops today, following reports linking Celtic with Oskar Wojcik.
Smajlovic is, however, a very different defender to Wojcik — in fact, he’s a different defender to most. Despite being a centre-back, his style of play is more akin to that of a midfielder.
His style of play is defined by regular marauding runs with the ball, and an emphasis on progressive passing. After all, he was named after Zinedine Zidane…
How would your Celtic defence look next season?
Celtic, Toulouse and Bodo/Glimt chasing Sandefjord’s Zinedin Smajlovic
According to Italian transfer journalist Rudy Galetti, Celtic and Toulouse have joined Bodo/Glimt in being interested in the 22-year-old.
Toulouse are known for their data-driven approach to scouting, whilst Bodo have enjoyed immense European overachievement by plucking players from other Norwegian clubs.
READ MORE: Wilfried Nancy in Ligue 1 frame as Lorient consider hiring ex-Celtic boss
After leaving Brommapojkarna in his youth, Smajlovic was taken from the third tier of Swedish football to play for Lecce in Serie A in 2023.
He was unable to establish himself in Italy so returned to Sweden in 2024. For the last year, he has played for Sandefjord in the Norwegian top flight.
A youth international for Sweden, he is also eligible to play for Bosnia. He could join Gustaf Lagerbielke, Carl Starfelt, Johan Mjallby and Daniel Majstorovic in the list of Swedish centre-backs to play for Celtic.
Despite the lack of certainty over the identity of Celtic’s next manager, they have been linked with plenty of players ahead of the summer window.
Martin O’Neill has recently said that it would take “some form of miracle” for him to be the Celtic manager next season, creating a vacancy in the Parkhead dugout.
It appears that the club are doing their recruitment due diligence regardless, in the absence of a director of football or head of recruitment.
Among the defenders linked are Luke Graham and the aforementioned Wojcik.
Receive a digest of our best Celtic content each week direct to your mailbox
