Rudi Vata admits Celtic have ‘surprised’ the one-time Hoops star by selling Josip Juranovic to Union Berlin. The Croatia full-back finalised a transfer to the Bundesliga side on Sunday.
Die Eisernen have broken their club record spend to sign Juranovic for an initial £7.5m on a four-and-a-half year deal. His move may end up costing the Stadion An der Alten Forsterei club up to £10m after add-ons. But Vata believes Celtic could have secured double the fee.
Juranovic only cost Celtic £2.5m when joining from Legia Warsaw in August 2021 as one of Ange Postecoglou’s first signings. But the 27-year-old fell out of favour at Parkhead before the World Cup break. He would also fail to regain a starting role ahead of Alistair Johnston.
Postecoglou started Juranovic in just nine of his 10 Premiership appearances this season in 16 available games. He also only saw the 27-cap dynamo score once and assist one goal in the top-flight before flying to Qatar. The Zagreb native would start in six World Cup games.
Now, Juranovic will try to make himself Union Berlin’s first-choice at right-back as the club looks to maintain their remarkable season. Die Eisernen sit third in the German top-flight table and in the Champions League qualifying places. They are just five points behind first.
Celtic ‘surprised’ Vata by sanctioning Juranovic’s transfer to Union Berlin ‘so cheap’
Juranovic had a wealth of rival suitors before Celtic sanctioned his transfer to Union Berlin for up to £10m. The Scottish Sun reported that Serie A side AC Monza were keen to clinch his arrival for £7m. While the Daily Record also noted the Hoops told Torino to pay £17m.
Yet Celtic lowered their asking price, despite Sky Sports citing Juranovic as Barcelona’s top right-back target. The Sunday Post (11/12, back page) also even cited Chelsea, Manchester United, Newcastle United and West Ham United as possible destinations for the defender.
But, in the end, Union Berlin won the race for Juranovic’s transfer in a deal that surprised one-time Celtic star Vata. The ex-Bhoys defender clearly feels the Hoops made a mistake.
“It’s a good deal for Union Berlin and for the player but not for Celtic,” he said, via quotes by the Glasgow Times. “A few weeks ago, top European clubs like Manchester United, Chelsea and Atletico Madrid were being talked about with a move for Juranovic.
“The fee was supposed to be up to £20m. That’s why I’m surprised the deal is so cheap. I’m sure Juranovic will help Union Berlin.”
Juranovic may only call the German capital his home for a matter of months
Vata added that Juranovic could now put himself in the shop window for a switch to a top Bundesliga club. Union Berlin currently sit third in the standings with 30 points in 16 games so far this season. But Die Eisernen are only playing their fourth term ever in the top-flight.
“At 27, he’s in the prime of footballing age and has a lot of experience,” he said. “Juranovic has a good mentality and wants to consistently improve. He is in top condition fitness-wise and loves to get forward and attack, and he’s technically strong.
“Juranovic’s strengths are clearly when his team are attacking. He is always looking to get forward. If he has a strong season at Union Berlin, then I think he will get a move to a top club in the Bundesliga.”
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