Celtic are said to be preparing to do battle with a couple of European sides as they look to add strength to the centre-back position this summer.
The Bhoys don't yet know who will me in charge next season as they continue talks with Martin O'Neill, but their recruitment staff are not waiting around.
Celtic chase centre-back
This day in age, clubs need to go into the summer knowing their list of targets, and having already done all of their homework on those targets.
Celtic are no different, and it's likely they already have a shortlist regardless of what happens with the managerial situation.
According to the latest reports, centre-back is a position the Hoops are keen to strengthen, with their current options including Cameron Carter-Vickers, Auston Trusty, Liam Scales and Dane Murray.
TV2 report that Celtic are now looking to add Sandejford defender Zinedin Smajlovic to their ranks, but they are not alone in identifying the centre-back as a talent worth buying.
The report claims Toulouse and Feyenoord are both showing interest in a deal this summer, with Sandejford expecting to land a club-record sale figure. That figure is expected to come in at around €3million.
Bodo/Glimt, who have regularly been in the Champions League over recent years, are also said to be interested in the 22-year-old who has been a staple of his current side's starting XI.
Smajlovic, former Sweden under-21s international, is a left-footed defender, meaning he would likely compete with Trusty for a starting spot if he was to be signed by Celtic this summer.
The 6ft3" defender was born in Sweden, where he plays his football, but he is also eligible to represent Bosnia and Herzegovina - a choice he may have to make should he continue to develop along his current path.
Carter-Vickers struggled with injury during the season just gone, highlighting the need to strengthen further at centre-back, although Sclaes has done a good job there. O'Neill has described Scales as "very capable" of playing at centre-back and full-back.
The first step for Celtic will surely be getting a manager in, whether that means O'Neill staying or a replacement being sourced. That delay could offer one of the other interested teams an advantage, which only highlights the urgency the Hoops should have in sorting out their technically vacant managerial role this summer.
The clock is always ticking in football, and the Bhoys may miss out on Smajlovic and other targets if they don't get things sorted and crack on with their summer business soon.
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