Celtic FC have been linked with a move for Benfica’s 22-year-old central defender Branimir Kalaica, as per a report in Football Insider.
The report claims: “Celtic, Leeds United and Watford are plotting moves to sign highly-rated Benfica defender Branimir Kalaica this summer, Football Insider can reveal.
“A recruitment source has told Football Insider that Benfica have high hopes for Kalaica but Leeds, Celtic and Watford are ready to test their resolve to hang onto him this summer and offer the defender a quicker pathway to first-team football at the highest level.
“The ball-playing, dominant central defender scored on his Benfica debut against Boavista in 2017, but in the last couple of seasons he has been playing for Benfica B in the second tier of Portugal.”
Will Celtic FC miss out on Kalaica?
Benfica do want to hold onto the 22-year-old but interest from the United Kingdom could sway the player’s might and he might look to move out of Portugal during the upcoming summer transfer window.
And if that is really the case then the player will any day choose a move to England instead of joining Celtic FC.
Leeds United look all set to play in the Premier League next season while Nigel Pearson’s men could also remain in the top division. So in such a scenario, Kalaica might not be able to resist a move to England.
At Celtic FC, the central defender will obviously get more playing time which is something that Neil Lennon might be looking to use to his advantage in trying to lure in Branimir Kalaica.
The Bhoys could part ways with Kristoffer Ajer this summer in which case the Benfica man could be a key transfer target for the SPFL side.
