BBC Sport contributor Dave Azzopardi has said that rumoured Celtic transfer target Nikola Vasilj would be a ‘very decent’ signing this summer.
According to a recent report from Football Insider, the Bhoys look set to rival Wolves for the goalkeeper’s signature over the coming weeks. The article claims that St. Pauli man has had an ‘outstanding debut season’ but could be up for sale for as little as £1.25m.
Discusing the rumours on the Talking Wolves podcast, Azzopardi said the transfer would represent a great piece of business this summer for Celtic or Wolves with both teams ‘keeping close tabs’ on how he does for Bosnia and Herzegovina in the EUFA Nations League.
He explained: “Wolves have been linked with Nicola Vasilj today, the Bosnian number one goalkeeper.
“Currently playing for German club St. Pauli. Valued at just over a million pounds. So a very affordable, very decent deal for Wolves.
“Wolves and Celtic are said to be in the market for a goalkeeper and he apparently is going to be that man that both clubs are going to be looking at.
“He is going to be playing for Bosnia over the next few weeks for the Nations League. And apparently both clubs are going to be keeping close tabs on how he gets on in those games.”
Do Celtic need to sign a new goalkeeper this summer?
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TIF thoughts on Nikola Vasilj and Celtic…
According to another report by Football Insider coming from this April, Celtic are hoping to offload goalkeeper Vasilis Barkas in the upcoming transfer market.
If this is the case, it makes an awful lot of sense for them to already be lining up a potential replacement. As Azzopardi explains, Vasilj is a good value for money target who would be an attractive option and so the Scottish club may well have to make a move soon if they want to beat Wolves to his signature.
The 26-year-old kept seven clean sheets in 2. Bundesliga last season, while he has five caps at international level too (via Transfermarkt). If he can shine in Bosnia’s next few games, he could well earn himself a move to Celtic in the near future.