The Daily Mail has linked Celtic with an interest in Benfica central defender Branimir Kalaica.
Over the last few seasons Celtic have turned to Jozo Simunovic and Filip Benkovic with Kalaica from the same generation of Croatian defenders.
Ironically the departure of Simunovic could open the door for the 22-year-old who has spent the last two seasons playing for Benfica II in the Portuguese Second Division.
The Mail reports:
Watford are among the clubs interested in Benfica defender Branimir Kalaica. Leeds and Celtic are also keen on the Croatian central defender ahead of next season.
Watford will be in the market for a new centre half ahead of the 2020/21 campaign, while Leeds are already planning to strengthen their squad ahead of what looks like a return to top flight football.
It is unclear which division Leeds and Watford will be playing in next season with their budgets and playing requirements heavily determined by whether or not they will be in the EPL.
Based on the experiences of Benkovic and Simunovic Celtic won’t need much of an introduction to any young Croatian.
During the week Stephen Welsh signed a new three-year contract but last season Nir Bitton and Hatem Abd Elhamed were drafted in to play in central defence if Kris Ajer or Chris Jullien were unavailable.
Benfica signed Kalaica in 2016 from Dinamo Zagreb at the end of his contract with his current deal running through until 2022.