Celtic set to hold crunch talks with ‘brilliant’ star this week, braced for bids

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Celtic will hold crunch talks with Josip Juranovic this week to discuss his future at Parkhead with Chelsea now targeting a transfer. The Croatia ace is yet to return from the World Cup.

That is according to Sky Sports, which reports the Hoops are braced to receive bids for the 27-year-old in January. The Premiership giants fear teams sense an opportunity to sign the right-back next month after failing to finalise a new deal before Juranovic headed to Qatar.

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Celtic have been in talks with Juranovic’s camp over an improved contract despite his deal running to 2026. The 27-cap dynamo agreed to a five-year deal worth £16k-a-week whilst signing from Legia Warsaw. He cost £2.5m in Ange Postecoglou’s splurge in August 2021.

Chelsea join Barcelona in exploring Juranovic’s transfer from Celtic

Now, though, Celtic are braced to receive bids in January after Chelsea joined Barcelona in studying Juranovic’s transfer. The Stamford Bridge natives have held internal talks over his situation in Glasgow after Reece James sustained another injury in his return this Tuesday.

James had been out of action since October 11 when he suffered a knee injury against AC Milan in the Champions League. It ruled him out of the World Cup for England and the 23-year-old felt discomfort in the same knee during his return at home to AFC Bournemouth.

Scans on James’ injury could see Juranovic stay at Parkhead in January

Chelsea are now debating Juranovic’s suitability for boss Graham Potter’s side after James’ latest injury, which will keep him out for a month. The Blues follow Barcelona in exploring any transfer for the Celtic star after the La Liga giants labelled Juranovic as their top target.

So, Celtic will sit down and speak with Juranovic once he returns to Glasgow this week to discuss his future. The Hoops afforded the Zagreb native an extended break after reaching the semi-finals and winning the third-place play-off. He played six times at the World Cup.

Juranovic impressed Postecoglou with his displays at Qatar 2022, as well. The Hoops boss said recently via the Daily Record: “Absolutely, he had a great World Cup, he was brilliant.”