Celtic Have Their Bid Rejected For The Emerging Serbian Defender: Why They Must Not Give Up The Chase | OneFootball

If a recent report from Meridian Sport, as quoted by The Daily Record, is believed to be true, Celtic had their first bid rejected for Veljko Milosavljević. Paris Saint-Germain and Everton have also scouted the Red Star Belgrade defender, and the Serbian heavyweights are ready to play hardball with an £8.4m asking fee set for their prized asset ahead of a potential summer transfer.

The 17-year-old centre-half progressed through Crvena Zvezda’s academy ranks before breaking into their senior squad in 2023-24 for a couple of Serbian Cup appearances. A dual registration allowed him to feature for Grafičar Beograd in the second tier, along with top-flight appearances for the Star during the 2024-25 season. He eventually secured a starting status for the latter and contributed to their SuperLiga and Cup triumph with 17 first-team appearances across both competitions.

Milosavljević, already 6 ft 4 in tall, was a defensive midfielder early in his career. However, his aerial as well as physical supremacy enabled him to flourish as a centre-back since breaking into senior football. The Serbian youth international captained the U19 side twice against Russia in October, and his emergence for both club and country grabbed the attention of top European outfits, including Celtic.

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND – MARCH 10: Stephen Welsh of Celtic and Tete Yengi of Livingston battle for possession during the Scottish Cup Quarter Final match between Celtic and Livingston at Celtic Park on March 10, 2024, in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

The Bhoys were denied a ‘domestic treble’ by Aberdeen, who defied the odds at Hampden Park and conquered the Scottish Cup crown via the tie-breaker. Despite winning the Premiership, Celtic must overcome the qualifiers to reach the league phase of the 2025-26 Champions League campaign. And their aggressive transfer chase suggests that Brendan Rodgers is eager for reinforcements to avoid a setback in Europe.

Why Celtic Should Snap Up The Teenage Sensation

Celtic have ample depth in deep defence, with Cameron Carter-Vickers being the centre-piece in the heart of the backline. The gaffer has primarily rotated between Liam Scales and Auston Trusty to partner with the USMNT ace; also, Maik Nawrocki was involved a few times, as he has found himself way down the pecking order.

Meanwhile, an impressive loan stint with Mechelen has made Stephen Welsh a ‘top priority signing‘ for the Belgian club. They are likely to test the water for the Hoops’ homegrown star, and Celtic, too, should try to offload the 25-year-old outcast to make way for Milosavljević.

Regardless of being a dominant force in Scotland, the Celts are not blessed with spending millions in the transfer market. While they must try to bring the price down for the teenager, profit from player sales would boost their chances of further investments. A move to Parkhead should be viewed as a stepping stone for Milosavljević, who is expected to burst onto the senior scene faster than the other suitors.