Celtic in advanced talks to bring Filip Benkovic
The defensive department of the Celtic squad needs quality additions this winter.
The latest reports in England suggest that Celtic are in advanced talks to bring Leicester City centre-back Filip Benkovic.
The Croatia international joined Leicester from Dinamo Zagreb for a fee in the region of 14.5 million euros in August 2018. His contract expires in the summer of 2023.
The 23-year-old has been touted as one of the brightest young prospects in Croatia.
The Leicester City centre-back has also represented the Croatia at various youth levels before going on to secure one senior cap for his country thus far.
Filip Benkovic is one of the more likely players to be offloaded by Leicester this winter and the list of suitors in the Croatia international continues to grow.
Neil Lennon wants to sign a new centre-back and Benkovic is one of the names at the top of his wishlist. He is a known admirer of the player and is reportedly keen on the idea of bringing him this winter.
Celtic are in the market for just a handful of statement signings who can improve the first-team.
Benkovic is a very comfortable defender and has qualities which would improve the Celtic’s backline.
The Croatia international will offer the Celtic boss the freedom to be more flexible with his formations, tactics and team selections.
According to the report, “Celtic are in talks to re-sign Leicester City defender Filip Benkovic. Sky Sports says Celtic are in the race to snap up the Croatia international and favour a loan deal with an option to buy. The 23-year-old is believed to not feature in the Premier League club’s plans for the season – and Leicester are now open to entertaining offers for him. The long-term knee injury recently suffered by defender Christopher Jullien has forced Celtic into the market to source a replacement. Benkovic has emerged as a target and will be available to move to Parkhead depending on whether an agreement can be thrashed out.”
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Celtic will have to come up with the right proposal to convince Benkovic to join the club.
Leicester are preparing to sell their centre-back should they receive right offer for him.
Filip Benkovic ideal fit for Celtic?
It is smart from the club to invest in younger players, rather than splashing out big money on experienced players with no resale value.
As for the player, Celtic could be a great place for him to grow as a footballer. They will be able to provide him with regular first-team football and he will be coached by a very good manager like Neil Lennon.
Benkovic is still quite young and he will only get better with experience. He would be a good long term investment for Celtic.
Celtic fans would certainly love to see him arrive at the club.
It will be interesting to see whether Celtic will make their move during the winter transfer window.
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Will Filip Benkovic end up at Celtic this winter?
Bologna-born Giuseppe Bianchi has spent more than a decade living in Rome and writing about Italian football, Spanish football and the Premier League for various Italian football portals and now he writes about European football for Euro Football Rumours. He's been thinking about football transfers pretty much nonstop since the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy. Aside from writing, he likes to spend his time fishing and rock climbing.
