Croatian Report: Celtic closing in on Vuskovic signing, could join this week

By John McGinley

June 27, 2021

Croatian media outlet Sportske Novosti believes that Celtic are on the brink of signing Mario Vuskovic.

The Hajduk Split defender is said to be on the move to Glasgow for a baseline fee of £4.3m [€5m], which could rise to £5.16m [€6m] with bonuses.

Celtic are reported by the outlet to be pushing to finalise the transfer this week.

Vuskovic is one of the finest young talents coming through for Croatia right now, starring in the country’s top-flight and winning caps with their U21 team.

As we discussed last week, Vuskovic has long been touted to make a splash in European football. He once featured in The Guardian’s Next Gen list.

Celtic badly need central defenders and buying in a 19-year-old with both senior experience and potential looks like a smart move at face value.

The multi-million-pound fee suggests he is not a project signing and more one that will go straight into first-team contention.

With Kristoffer Ajer admitting he wants to leave Celtic, this kind of ambitious signing is what we need as a replacement.

Obviously, we should never take signings as being completed until the Bhoys announce it on the official website. But it’s looking good.

New manager Ange Postecoglou said on Friday we could expect summer signings “very, very soon”, so it all fits.

Fingers crossed it comes off!

In other news, Ange Postecoglou goes in depth on the next Celtic captain question; will likely come from within.