Scottish Premiership champions Celtic could reportedly lose another centre-back with Ligue 1 runners-up Lille eyeing Jozo Simunovic.
Lille manager Christophe Galtier has added fuel to the fire by admitting that he is an admirer of Celtic defender Jozo Simunovic, according to La Voix du Nord.
The Hoops have lost two key centre-halves this summer already in Dedryck Boyata and Filip Benkovic, so interest in Simunovic is far from welcome with the new Scottish Premiership season just weeks away.
The Scottish Sun claimed on Friday that Lille, who finished second in Ligue 1 behind Paris Saint-Germain last season, are interested in signing the former Dinamo Zagreb powerhouse for a fee of £5 million.
Such a fee would see Celtic make a profit on a player they signed four years ago but, in an ideal world, Simunovic would stay and form a formidable partnership with marquee summer signing Christopher Jullien.
And the highly-respected Lille coach Gaultier, while stopping short of confirming any potential bid, has admitted that he’s an admirer of the 24-year-old.
“Jozo Simunovic is a very good player with a good knowledge of European football,” the former St Etienne boss said.
Should Simunovic leave Celtic for the Stade Pierre Mauroy, he would have big shoes to fill.
Lille are expected to lose their influential captain Adama Soumaoro this summer and their interest in Simunovic is a big show of faith, given that the Croatia-born defender was far from his best during a disappointing 2018/19 season during which he spent a lot of time on the bench.
Yet don’t expect Celtic to be open to offers.
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