Legia Warsaw president Dariusz Mioduski has defended the sale of Josip Juranovic, telling Weszlo the Croatia international “wanted to go to Celtic”.
Understandably, many Legia supporters weren’t thrilled to learn one of the club’s most influential players was going to be sold so late in the window – especially after it looked for all the world as though Juranovic would be staying put.
Following a drawn-out will he, won’t he transfer saga, Celtic finally sealed a £2.5 million deal for a man who caught the eye with an impressive performance at Hampden Park for Croatia against Scotland in Euro 2020.
And while Juranovic’s departure was hardly great news from a sporting perspective, Mioduski, with his eyes firmly fixed on the balance sheet, believes this was simply an offer too good to turn down in the post-covid era.
Legia Warsaw chief defends Juranovic sale to Celtic
“I guess some people are lacking awareness of what is happening on the transfer market, which has collapsed in the last two years,” says Mioduski.
“The amount we got for Juranovic is very good. Today, few clubs are signing players for €3 million to €4 million. The big ones make spectacular transfers, the rest save.
“Juranovic is the most expensive football player in the (Polish) league in more than 24 years and, a year and a half ago, we bought him for €400,000.
“Besides, we don’t put players up for sale. Sometimes, they want to leave. Jura wanted to go to Celtic, and we expected him to leave. After he played at the Euros the interest was high but, in the end, only Celtic made a specific offer.”
When you consider Juranovic was available for a lot less than Sheffield United wanted for George Baldock and Sporting Lisbon were demanding for Valentin Rosier, that £2.5 million transfer fee resembles good value.
Another right-back, Galatasaray’s Sacha Boey, admitted recently he too had an offer from Celtic before opting for the Turkish side.
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