Celtic defender Stephen Welsh is reportedly being monitored by Croatian league side HNK Hajduk Split.
The 22-year-old has found game time in recent months hard to come by after picking up a number of injury issues this season.
Welsh’s time out has also led to him falling down the pecking order in Ange Postecoglou’s squad, with a number of options currently ahead of him.
The duo of Cameron Carter-Vickers and Carl Starfelt appear to be Celtic’s first-choice defensive pairing. Whilst summer signing, Mortiz Jenz has also featured on a regular basis.
The signing of Japanese centre-back Yuki Kobayashi has raised yet more questions about Welsh’s future and whether he will remain at Parkhead.
In the past, European clubs such as Toulouse and Udinese have shown interest in the Celtic academy graduate. But, at that stage, the Scotland under-21 international would have been seen as a key squad player.
However, with his situation at Celtic now changing and less game time being made available this season, the defender may be assessing his future in the January window.
According to the Scotsman, more European interest could arrive for the Celtic defender, with Croatian league team Hajduk Split now monitoring Welsh’s situation.
The report states that Celtic would ‘command a sizeable fee’ if their interest was to come to fruition, with the youngster tied down on a long-term deal until 2025.
Loan move required for Stephen Welsh in the January window.
After a difficult season through injury and lack of game time, it now feels as though a loan move is definitely required for Stephen Welsh in the coming months.
Although clubs are bound to be interested in bringing the defender in on a temporary spell, there is also a possibility of interest in a permanent move.
This would leave Ange Postecoglou and the Celtic hierarchy with a decision to make regarding Welsh’s long-term future at the club.
However, in my opinion, it would be best to send him out on loan this season before reassessing his situation come the summer.
There are plenty of other factors that will need to be considered in that time, such as the future of loanee Moritz Jenz and how much of a part Kobayashi will have to play.
So, the best solution would be to get Welsh out playing first-team football once again and monitor his progress at his temporary side.
It should be interesting to see if Hajduk Split’s interest in the Scottish defender comes to fruition as they consider a potential move for Stephen Welsh.
I don’t think they will be the only club keeping an eye on the Celtic academy graduate in the January window, and Celtic could have a decision on their hands in the coming weeks.
In other news, Report: Club ‘pursuing’ surprise move for Celtic star Josip Juranovic; transfer details revealed.
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