Scottish Premiership giants Celtic could reportedly lose Josip Simunovic to La Liga and West Ham United may have a part to play.
West Ham United could cause a problem for Celtic this summer – one the Hoops would really rather avoid.
With Dedryck Boyata already sealing a move to Hertha Berlin and loanee Filip Benkovic on his way back to Leicester City, the last thing Celtic needed was to see Josip Simunovic’s future cast into doubt.
According to the Scottish Sun, La Liga outfit Deportivo Alaves are looking to snap up the 24-year-old on a deal that would cost around £4 million. Simunovic has struggled with injuries in recent months but Celtic really cannot afford to lose a third centre-back in the same summer.
But this is where West Ham come in.
After all, Alaves appear to have identified Simunovic as a replacement for their influential Chilean international Guillermo Maripan, who continues to be linked with a move to The Hammers.
Football London reports that West Ham have made Maripan one of their top summer targets after a fine season in the Spanish top flight with Manuel Pellegrini’s side willing to pay £10 million to get the deal done.
Should Maripan move to the London Stadium, Alaves will turn to Simunovic. So Celtic will probably be hoping West Ham turn their attentions elsewhere.
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