Club boss has 'no right' to stand in way of Celtic target's move as 'extremely important' player hailed
The latest Celtic transfer news with the Hoops’ linked with a move for a FIFA World Cup star.
The 2026 FIFA World Cup finals in North America are well underway against the backdrop of the summer transfer window.
Clubs across the world will be keeping an eye on the international tournament as they follow the fortunes of potential recruits to improve their first team squads. Celtic, who have their head coach in place for next season with Martin O’Neill agreeing to stay on, will be no different.
In fact, the Hoops are being heavily linked with one player who has already made his debut at the competition and helped earn his country a valuable point against one of the host nations. On the back of that, his club boss has spoken publicly about the players’ future.
Celtic linked midfielder lighting up FIFA World Cup as club boss has say on future
Bosnia and Herzegovina midfielder Ivan Basic is being touted as a potential summer recruit for Celtic. The Glasgow club are said to be interested in his services and are monitoring his performances at the World Cup.
The 24-year-old played 61 minutes for his country in their World Cup opener against Canada, one of the three host nations of the finals. Jovo Lukic put the European nation ahead in Toronto but substitute Cyle Larin equalised in the 78th minute to earn first ever World Cup finals point for the Maple Leaves and get Jesse Marsch’s side on the board in Group B.
Following that match, Basic’s club boss as Kazakhstani side FC Astana has spoken publicly about the midfielder’s future. He has made it clear they will not try and stand in the way of any possible summer transfer.
He said: “We understand this guy has a great career ahead of him. He can prove himself at this level and move on to a top league.
“We have no right to stand in his way. Of course we would rather keep him in the team because he is extremely important to us, but I believe it is right to support the player in his development.”
Who is Ivan Basic? Bosnia and Herzegovina international linked with Celtic summer transfer move
Basic currently plays his club football for Kazakhstani giants FC Astana. Celtic fans will remember them from their 2017 UEFA Champions League qualifying encounter which the Hoops won 8-4 on aggregate.
The 24-year old has been with the seven times Kazakhstan Premier League champions since 2023 having previously played with Orenburg in the Russian Premier League for three seasons prior to that. He began his career in his homeland with Zrinjski Mostar where he helped them to the Bosnian Premier League title in 2022.
Basic earned his first international cap in 2023 and has been a regular in the team ever since. He has earned 18 caps with his most recent coming in their FIFA World Cup opener.
He has been touted as a potential replacement for Arne Engels should the Belgian international leave Celtic Park this summer. The 22-year old has been linked with Italian Serie A side Napoli.