Exclusive: Celtic Among Clubs Tracking Orlando City Star Marco Pašalić

Orlando City's Marco Pašalić is actively exploring several options ahead of what promises to be an interesting summer, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal.

Having signed up as a Designated Player for the MLS club over a year ago, the attacker had quickly established himself as an exciting marksman, scoring 16 goals and laying on another nine across all competitions for the Florida side last term.

Sources say the Croatian is poised to travel with the Blazers to play at this summer's World Cup, and is regarded as one of the most important players for Zlatko Dalić's team.

Since earning his first senior international bow for Croatia in a European qualifier against Latvia back in 2023, Pašalić has gone on to rake in a further 10 caps, scoring once.

CELTIC JOIN LONG LIST OF INTERESTED SUITORS

Borussia Monchengladbach, Feyenoord, Bologna and AS Roma had all explored chances of taking the attacker last year, and all still retain concrete interests.

And lately, Celtic as well have been touted as another viable destination for the player. The list is most likely to grow if Pašalić goes on to distinguish himself at the upcoming tournament when he gets to lead the lines for the 2018 runners-up.

With a wand of a left foot, Pašalić's pace on the right flank coupled with his penchant for scoring important goals stands him out as an asset for a side seeking reliable width and end product from a winger.

"We are in talks with several clubs", a close source told SportsBoom.us.  

"But there is no rush, he's already proved his ability for his team so anyone knows what they're getting in Marco."

EARLY PLAYING DAYS

Born in Germany, Pašalić started out youth football with hometown club Karlsruher SC, before taking in stints with SV Sandhausen and TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.

He would get his first taste of senior football when manager Frank Fahrenhorst gave him his debut for VfB Stuttgart in the Regionalliga Südwest division, for who he earned 35 appearances, accruing eight goals and 12 assists.

He has since turned out for Borussia Dortmund's cadet and senior sides while his adventure in Croatia with top flight side HNK Rijeka produced 16 goals and nine assists in 68 outings.

Pašalić is not the only MLS attacker drawing attention in Europe, with FC Dallas striker Petar Musa also under the spotlight as Atalanta and Lazio closely monitor a potential €20m-plus move.

FINANCIAL PEDIGREE

With City paying just under €5 million (€4.8) to acquire him from Rijeka, his transfer figures are said to have significantly doubled thanks to his rising stock and suitors will have to cough up close to double that amount.

The 25-year-old commands an annual salary of around €900k to €1 million (including contractual bonuses) at the Florida club, a figure that could well be matched by most of his European admirers.

That said, SportsBoom understands Pašalić would particularly welcome a move to a top side, preferably one ready to offer European football.

Orlando City hold an option to extend the player's contract by a further year by December next year, in the event he remains on the books of the club by the end of 2027.