Celtic have been credited with concrete interest in Sandefjord defender Zinedin Smajlović, but any potential move would raise an immediate question about the balance of the squad.
Norwegian outlet TV 2 reports that the Hoops are showing interest in the 22-year-old centre-back, who has built a strong reputation in the Eliteserien and become an important player for Sandefjord.
The Norwegian club are reportedly expecting significant transfer activity around the Swedish under 21 international in the coming window and anticipate a bid could arrive in the near future with Transfermarkt currently having the player priced at £3m.
Smajlović is a left-footed central defender, a profile Celtic already have in the building through Auston Trusty and Liam Scales.
That is what makes this particular link interesting.
On paper, Celtic do not need this profile of player this summer. The squad requires improvement in several areas, particularly with the club still without a permanent manager and major decisions to be made before pre-season.
But another left-sided centre-back does not immediately stand out as one of the most obvious gaps unless there is a plan beyond simply adding depth.
Scales recently signed a new deal, which would make him less likely to be the one moved on. Trusty, meanwhile, is the more intriguing name in this equation.
The American international has just helped the team to a league and cup double and he is expected to be part of the USA picture at this summer’s World Cup. A strong tournament on that stage could change the conversation around his value very quickly.
If Trusty performs well in front of a global audience, Celtic may have an opportunity to cash in at a good time. In that context, looking at a younger left-footed centre-back from Scandinavia would make some strategic sense.
Celtic’s Transfer Track Record
The question is whether Celtic are actually operating with that level of joined-up thinking.
Supporters have seen enough over recent years to be sceptical when it comes to forward planning. With no permanent manager appointed, it would be surprising to see the club move aggressively for a player in a position that does not appear to be among the most urgent priorities.
There is also a wider issue. Celtic need clarity before they start committing money to squad reshaping. A goalkeeper, attacking reinforcements and other key areas would appear to sit higher on the summer list than another left-sided centre-half as reported by Mark Hendry in our latest transfer update.
Smajlović may well be a player Celtic have watched. That would be no surprise. He fits a modern scouting profile, young, physically strong, left-footed and already playing regular football in a competitive European league.
But interest is not a deal.
Unless one of Celtic’s current left-footed centre-backs is on the way out, this one feels more like a situation to monitor than a transfer supporters should expect to accelerate quickly.
