Celtic have held fresh talks with the agent of Josip Juranovic in a bid to close the Legia Warsaw defender’s move to Parkhead this summer, according to the Daily Record.
The Hoops have been striving to bring the Croatia international to Glasgow as one of Ange Postecoglou’s top right-back targets. Anthony Ralston’s recent form has given Celtic time to negotiate a suitable fee with Legia Warsaw, but view Juranovic as a long-term option.
Celtic are also keeping the door open for George Baldock to join as he is the Premiership giants’ top target. But Sheffield United are loath to allow the 28-year-old to leave as they bid for an immediate Premier League return.
Baldock will also not push for a move away from Bramall Lane, even though he is aware of Celtic’s interest, The Star note. Additionally, Postecoglou faces competition from Burnley for the £8m full-back, per the Daily Mail, who The Telegraph claim Olympiacos want.
Legia Warsaw thought they were close to agreeing terms with Celtic to sell Juranovic to Postecoglou’s side earlier this summer. Yet the Hoops remained on the search after refusing to pay £3m for the 26-year-old.
Postecoglou wants to get a deal over the line before the August 31 deadline hits, though. So, Celtic have held a fresh round of negotiations with Juranovic’s agent to discuss terms.
Reports by Sky Sports and the Glasgow Times both note Legia Warsaw rejected Celtic’s initial £2m bid for Juranovic. He is under contract until 2023 on a deal that features an option to extend by 12-months. Yet the Hoops are confident of finding middle ground.
Juranovic to offer Postecoglou an attack-minded defender at Celtic?
Celtic agreeing terms with Legia Warsaw for Juranovic would see Postecoglou be able to unleash an attack-minded full-back at Parkhead. The 10-cap international has featured exclusively at right-midfield over eight appearances so far this season.
Juranovic also made eight of his 26 Ekstraklasa outings and offered five of his eight assists out wide last term. Compared to 11 games as an out-and-out right-back, in which he scored once and assisted three goals.
Yet despite the Zagreb native’s offensive potential, with minutes on the left, too, he also played five times at centre-back. Legia Warsaw kept two clean sheets over three wins and two draws with Juranovic in the heart of the backline. Making him even more attractive to Postecoglou as he strives to rebuild the Celtic defence before the August 31 deadline.
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