Filip Benkovic: Celtic in talks to sign Leicester centre-back

Celtic are in talks with Leicester City to sign centre-back Filip Benkovic.

The 23-year-old is not part of Leicester's short-term plans and the Premier League club are prepared to listen to offers for the defender.

Celtic are keen to bring Benkovic back to the club - preferably on a loan deal with an option to buy, after recently losing Christopher Jullien to a long-term knee injury.

Benkovic spent a year on loan at Celtic in the 2018-19 season under current Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers, scoring twice in 27 appearances in all competitions.

The Croatia international, who joined Leicester from Dinamo Zagreb in 2018, spent part of this season on loan at Cardiff City.

However, he recalled by his parent club on Wednesday, having made just on appearance for the Welsh side.

Celtic assistant manager John Kennedy has confirmed Benkovic is on a shortlist of potential centre-back signings.

"It's probably a position now, with Christopher Jullien being injured, that we have to look at. We are a bit short in that area now," said Kennedy.

"Filip is one who we are very well aware of and have spoken about. We know what he is capable of, and he's a guy who has been here and knows what it's about.

"So he is certainly on a shortlist of options to strengthen the centre-back position."

When asked if they wanted to get a defender in quickly, Kennedy said: "We want to try and get it done as quickly as possible but it has to be right for everybody. It's not always as easy as saying 'that's who we want' and we go and do it.

"There are other clubs involved, the player themselves involved. I'm sure Filip or anyone else will have other options. It's up to us if they are the right person for us, to try and convince them we are the right club for them too."