Celtic are closing in on a major midfield signing after a remarkable rise that has caught the attention of clubs across Europe.
The deal is expected to cost an initial £6 million, with the total potentially rising to £7.5 million once performance-related add-ons are triggered.
Martin O’Neil is preparing to welcome another high-profile addition as the club continues to reshape its squad for the challenges ahead.
World Cup performances that changed everything
The Bosnia midfielder produced a series of eye-catching displays at this summer’s World Cup.
Those performances have transformed his reputation in a matter of weeks.
Despite spending only 72 minutes on the pitch, he finished the tournament as Bosnia’s leading scorer.
Standout moments that turned heads
One of his goals came against Switzerland in a 4-1 defeat.
The spectacular volley was widely regarded as one of the standout finishes of the group stage.
He later found the net again against Qatar, completing a neat run before applying the final touch to secure victory.
That ability to make an immediate impact from limited minutes has impressed scouts and managers alike.
Celtic had already been monitoring the player before the tournament began.
His displays in North America simply accelerated their plans and strengthened the case for a swift move.
From free transfer to multi-million pound target
Only last summer the midfielder was available on a free transfer after leaving his previous club.
His move to Slovan Liberec proved the turning point in a career that has gathered rapid momentum.
He developed quickly in the Czech league and soon attracted interest from some of Europe’s more ambitious sides.
The near miss that almost changed his path
Former Vojvodina chief scout Marijan Zivkovic has spoken about an earlier opportunity that slipped away.
Zivkovic approached the player and his father about a possible move to the Serbian club.
The father was immediately interested because of Vojvodina’s history and status in the former Yugoslavia.
Yet the talks stalled after the family waited around ten days without further contact.
The midfielder instead signed for Slovan Liberec on a free transfer.
That decision has since delivered an extraordinary financial return for the Czech club.
Zivkovic has reflected on the remarkable change in value since that moment.
The player who was available for nothing is now commanding millions and drawing interest from established European clubs.
His father kept Zivkovic updated as the list of suitors continued to grow.
Competition from across Europe
Besiktas, RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg have all been linked with the midfielder.
The presence of those clubs underlines the level of competition Celtic face.
RB Leipzig and Red Bull Salzburg in particular have built strong reputations for identifying and developing emerging talent.
Celtic’s willingness to commit significant funds shows how highly they rate the player.
The reported agreement would also represent a club-record sale for Slovan Liberec.
For a player who arrived without a transfer fee just a year ago, the potential windfall is extraordinary.
Celtic’s recruitment approach
The club’s interest did not begin with the World Cup.
Scouts had already identified the midfielder’s potential during his time in the Czech league.
That early monitoring could prove decisive if Celtic manage to complete the deal before rival interest intensifies further.
The initial £6 million outlay is a sizeable investment in a player whose market value has risen sharply.
Should the add-ons be activated, the total could reach approximately £7.5 million.
Such a figure reflects the confidence Celtic have in his long-term development.
Impact on Celtic’s midfield plans
The arrival of a new midfielder is expected to have clear consequences for the current squad.
Reo Hatete could be pushed closer to the exit door as the club continues to reshape the middle of the pitch.
Celtic may also look to target additional midfield options as part of a wider rebuild.
Martin O’Neil will be hoping the deal can be finalised quickly so the player can settle into the group.
The midfielder’s technical ability, international experience and goal threat from midfield offer a different profile from existing options.
His capacity to influence games from limited minutes could prove valuable across a demanding domestic and European campaign.
Recent form and league context
Celtic have shown encouraging signs in the opening weeks of the season.
Strong home performances have helped them stay in the upper reaches of the Scottish Premiership table.
Yet the midfield has sometimes lacked the creative spark and cutting edge required against deeper-lying opposition.
A player capable of producing moments of quality from central areas would address that need.
Supporters have already begun discussing how the new arrival might fit into O’Neil’s preferred system.
Many fans see the potential signing as a statement of ambition after the World Cup exposure.
Others remain cautious about the fee and the adaptation required for Scottish football.
The consensus, however, is that the club appears to be moving for a player whose trajectory is still rising.
That sense of upward momentum has generated genuine excitement around the possible deal.
What the move would mean for all parties
For Slovan Liberec the transfer would rank as one of the most successful pieces of business in recent club history.
Turning a free signing into a potential £7.5 million sale in little more than a year is rare.
The Czech side will rightly feel they have maximised the player’s development and subsequent market value.
For the midfielder himself the next step carries significant expectation.
He has already said his goodbyes at Liberec this week and appears ready for a new challenge.
Moving to a club of Celtic’s size and European profile would represent a major career progression.
Celtic supporters will be watching developments closely in the coming days.
The combination of World Cup pedigree, technical quality and a relatively modest initial outlay has captured the imagination.
If the reported agreement is completed, the midfielder will arrive with both opportunity and pressure.
His rapid rise from free agent to multi-million pound target already ranks among the more compelling stories of the current window.
Celtic will hope that story continues successfully once he pulls on the green and white jersey.
With interest still present from several established clubs, the next few days could prove decisive.
All indications currently point towards Celtic making a determined effort to secure the signature.
Should the deal go through, Martin O’Neil will gain another exciting option in midfield as the club prepares for the months ahead.
For now the focus remains on finalising the numbers and completing what would be a significant piece of summer business.