Recent transfer news has been circulating suggesting that Celtic are looking to mainland Europe for a new defender, with Waasland-Beveren’s Aleksander Vukotic reportedly being of interest.
According to Belgian media outlet Le Soir, the 24-year-old will be looking to move clubs after his current club’s recent relegation, with the Hoops as well as Mechelen keeping tabs on the player.
The Serbian defender featured in 24 Jupiler Pro League games this season, keeping three clean sheets and even managing to score two goals along the way, as per Transfermarkt. He is a towering defender at 6 ft 5 but it is worth wondering whether the club see him as an adequate replacement for Kristoffer Ajer, who has been linked with various European clubs including Leicester City and Real Madrid, via Leicester Mercury.
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With Ajer offering Celtic a solid defensive presence (winning 3.3 headers and 1.9 tackles per game), it will be very difficult to find a replacement for a centre-back who despite being only 22 has already racked up 129 games for the Hoops, including 35 appearances in European competition. Also, while the Norwegian has plenty of title-winning experience at Parkhead, Vukotic would come from a club whose struggles have led to relegation.
For these reasons, Vukotic seems like someone the club should avoid for now and, with a long summer transfer window ahead of them, there is no need to rush into signing just any player.
Celtic fans, do you think Vukotic would be a good replacement for Ajer if the Norwegian moves on? Comment below with your views!
