Hibs are reportedly watching HNK Gorica defender Cheick Keita as they plan for Josh Doig ’s departure.
The teenage left back and Premiership Young Player of the Year is close to leaving Easter Road with the likes of Burnley and Watford battling it out for his signature.
Manager Jack Ross has confirmed that a move is likely to happen sooner rather than later, with the Hibees hoping to bank between £4-£5million for the 19-year-old.
And reports in Croatia suggest they’ve identified Keita as a potential replacement.
Lewis Stevenson and Sean Mackie remain as back-up but Ross is on the hunt for a long-term solution in addition to the evergreen Stevenson.
25-year-old Keita has been attracting interest from across Europe and a number of scouts were at Gorica’s Prva HNL game against Sibenik last month to assess his performance.
The French-born former Monaco youngster represents Mali at international level.
While predominantly a left back, Keita can also play wide left which makes him a suitable candidate to fill the left wing back role that Doig is expected to leave vacant before the end of the transfer window.
He has experience of British football after a spell with Birmingham City. he spent three years at St Andrews but played only 12 times for the Blues, who loaned him out to Bologna and Belgian outfit Eupen before releasing him this summer.
The reported interest comes hot on the heels of Hibs announcing a new recruitment partnership with Planet Football, a Croatian-based company run by specialist Ivan Kepcija.
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