cro lion
05 May 2006, 02:48 AM
Celtic are believed to be tracking Nico Kranjcar, the Croatian international midfielder, who is available for a fee of about £2.5m from Hajduk Split.
The 21-year-old playmaker would be a potential replacement for Stilian Petrov, the Bulgarian whose representatives remain insistent that he will not deviate from his desire to leave Parkhead.
Celtic are likely to send a representative, probably Ray Clarke, the chief scout, to watch Kranjcar in action for Hajduk in tomorrow's Croatian league game against NK Varteks.
They would, though, face competition if they pressed ahead with a move as Bayern Munich, Eintracht Frankfurt, Deportivo La Coruña and Lyon are among those thought to be interested in the player.
He is the son of Zlatko Kranjcar, the Croatia national team coach, and could play a major part in their plans for this summer's World Cup finals in Germany.
Hajduk are happy for the tournament to be a showpiece for his talents and, despite a contract running until 2008, seem resigned to his departure. Branko Grgic, the club chairman, said: "If Kranjcar wants to go, it is his decision and we will not stop him."
Celtic also remain interested in signing Michal Kadlec from Sparta Prague. The 21-year-old left-back would cost £1.5m.
Lothar Matthäus, the former Hungary coach, has reiterated that Bayern Munich are tracking Petrov. Speaking on the Gaelic sports programme Spors, Matthäus, said the Bulgarian could replace Michael Ballack, the Germany internationalist who is set for a summer move to Chelsea.
The 21-year-old playmaker would be a potential replacement for Stilian Petrov, the Bulgarian whose representatives remain insistent that he will not deviate from his desire to leave Parkhead.
Celtic are likely to send a representative, probably Ray Clarke, the chief scout, to watch Kranjcar in action for Hajduk in tomorrow's Croatian league game against NK Varteks.
They would, though, face competition if they pressed ahead with a move as Bayern Munich, Eintracht Frankfurt, Deportivo La Coruña and Lyon are among those thought to be interested in the player.
He is the son of Zlatko Kranjcar, the Croatia national team coach, and could play a major part in their plans for this summer's World Cup finals in Germany.
Hajduk are happy for the tournament to be a showpiece for his talents and, despite a contract running until 2008, seem resigned to his departure. Branko Grgic, the club chairman, said: "If Kranjcar wants to go, it is his decision and we will not stop him."
Celtic also remain interested in signing Michal Kadlec from Sparta Prague. The 21-year-old left-back would cost £1.5m.
Lothar Matthäus, the former Hungary coach, has reiterated that Bayern Munich are tracking Petrov. Speaking on the Gaelic sports programme Spors, Matthäus, said the Bulgarian could replace Michael Ballack, the Germany internationalist who is set for a summer move to Chelsea.