Celtic legend John Hartson is baffled by claims that Josip Juranovic could leave the Scottish Premiership champions for a fee of just £7 million during the January transfer window, speaking to Go Radio.
After capping his debut season at Parkhead with a league title, before helping Croatia reach the semi-finals of the Qatar World Cup, Juranovic’s reputation has never been greater. What’s more, at just 27, the former Legia Warsaw right-back arguably hasn’t even hit his prime.
Reports from the Scottish Sun suggesting that Juranovic could join ambitious Serie A newcomers Monza for as little as £7 million, then, understandably has Hartson wondering if he’d misplaced his reading glasses.
Josip Juranovic could leave Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic for Serie A outfit Monza
“Last week we were talking about £20million,” Hartson exclaims. “He was one of the best right-backs at the World Cup.
“(Achraf) Hakimi was fantastic. He’s at PSG, probably on £150,000 a week. He was great for Morocco. Juranovic was equally as good, and you are talking £7million? It’s unbelievable.
“I don’t know the structure of the deal, agents fees and blah, blah, blah. I would have thought at least double that (£7 million fee). I’m shocked. I’ve listened to some of the comments on social media and Celtic fans can’t believe it.”
According to Tuttomercatoweb, Juranovic is ‘ready’ to board a flight to Italy before February’s transfer deadline. Monza are hoping to sign the versatile, Zagreb-born stopper on loan, with an obligation-to-buy clause included in his contract.
Giorgios Giakoumakis – another member of Ange Postecoglou’s 2022 Premiership-winning squad – also appears to be on his way. J-League outfit Urawa Red Diamonds are reportedly in pole position; the Greek striker potentially set to earn Celtic a further £8 million following a breakdown in contract talks.
Celtic’s pursuit of a readymade replacement, meanwhile, is taking them far and wide. South Korean duo Oh Hyean-Gyu and Cho Gue-Sung are on the radar, though the latter is also an option for Old Firm neighbours Rangers.
Rosenborg’s Casper Tengstedt, however, expects to stay in Norway until the summer at least.
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