TBR View: Should Celtic consider defender being linked with bargain Everton move?

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Everton are reportedly interested in signing Cagliari centre-back Ragnar Klavan this month for a bargain figure despite the colossal defender leaving Merseyside rivals Liverpool in 2018 – but should Celtic consider rivalling The Toffees?

Klavan, 34, is in the final year of his contract with Serie A side Cagliari and although the Italians have the option to extend a deal by 12 months – the 126-time Estonia international could be looking for pastures new.

Italian outlet Blog Cagliari Calcio have claimed that Carlo Ancelotti is looking at experienced defender Klavan despite his Liverpool past. He left Anfield to join Cagliari in the summer of 2018, after 53 appearances for Jurgen Klopp’s side.

The Sun claim Klavan would cost a bargain fee between £1million and £2million, meaning he is more than within Celtic’s reach if the Scottish champions do look to rival Everton with a move for the experienced defender.

Celtic need a centre-back just as much as Everton do. Kris Ajer and Christopher Jullien remain first choice, but cover is limited. Jozo Simunovic remains injury-plagued, Nir Bitton is naturally a midfielder and Jack Hendry is being linked with Hearts.

The lack of options at centre-back comes after Celtic were forced to wave goodbye to Filip Benkovic, after his loan expired and he returned to Leicester. Dedryck Boyata joined Hertha Berlin, while Marvin Compper moved to MSV Duisburg.

Neil Lennon needs a centre-back and one with plenty of experience is surely the route to go down, given Ajer is just 21 and Jullien has just 252 club appearances to his name – despite turning 27 in March.

Bringing in a player with Klavan’s reputation, experience and calibre for a bargain fee of less than £2million would give Celtic all the tools they need to shut up shop in their bid to retain the Scottish Premiership title.

Indeed, Klavan may even prefer a move to Celtic over Everton if the Hoops do become keen. That is because Celtic remain in Europe with many more chances of game time – while The Toffees have just the Premier League to focus on.