Celtic centre-back Filip Benkovic has said that Leicester City could recall him in January due to a clause in his contract.
The 21-year-old is currently on loan at the Hoops for the season from the Foxes, and he has admitted that he will have to wait and see if Leicester sell players in the next transfer window – and if they do, there is a possible chance that he will be recalled.
Benkovic – who is 6ft 4in [Transfermarkt] – joined Celtic on the final day of the transfer window just two weeks after signing for Leicester, and he has said that he may have to wait until the last minute this time around to see where his future lies in January.
“I signed until the end of the season but there is a clause in the contract which means that Leicester can bring me back in January,” he said, as quoted by the Scottish Herald.
“So far I have spoken with some people at the club but they must wait and see what their situation is in the winter – maybe they will sell some players, I don’t know.
“Because of that I may have to wait until the last minute of the transfer window to find out what is happening – just like the last one.”
OPINION
Benkovic being recalled in January ultimately depends on who Leicester sell in January – and this player is most likely Harry Maguire. He was the subject of interest from Manchester United in the summer’s transfer window, so it is possible that they may try to sign him again in January. If they manage to succeed, then Celtic will be resigned to the fact that they will lose Benkovic after just half a season. However, Benkovic has only played in two Scottish Premier League games this season, so it would remain to be seen how much he would be missed if he did return to Leicester. Hoops boss Brendan Rodgers will no doubt want to see the Croat remain at the club until his loan runs out, as he will obviously want extra depth defensively. However, the giant’s chances of leaving remain slim, as it is unlikely that Leicester will allow one of their star players to leave.