David Moyes cannot see West Ham United spending money in the January transfer window in a boost to Celtic’s hopes of keeping the Premier League-linked right-back Josip Juranovic, speaking to talkSPORT.
The good news for Celtic fans, if Juranovic does go, is that Ange Postecoglou is not short of high-quality replacements. Alistair Johnston signed on the dotted line at the start of December; one of Canada’s World Cup heroes joining from MLS outfit Montreal CF.
And, in Anthony Ralston, Celtic also have a player who has come on leaps and bounds under the Australian’s influence over the last 18 months.
According to the Daily Record, the Scottish premiership champions are expecting offers for Juranovic in 2023. Atletico Madrid, Manchester United, Newcastle, Chelsea and Barcelona are just some of the clubs to have been linked of late, the former Legia Warsaw flyer shining en route to the World Cup semi-finals.
An offer seems unlikely to arrive from West Ham however; Moyes playing down the prospect of expensive January additions following last summer’s £165 million outlay.
West Ham United reportedly like Celtic’s World Cup ace Josip Juranovic
“I have to say the board did really well by us and spent a good amount of money in the summer. We brought in nine new players. Which is more than anybody would want to do, really,” Moyes explains.
“But we needed it because we’ve got a European campaign again, and because of the amount of games we played in the year before.
“Even this season, I think we’ve played more games than any other Premier League team at this stage of the season. So we needed to add those players.
“But January will probably be a no. Unless we need something through injury, or someone comes available. In truth, I don’t see us doing much business, no.”
Juranovic, who started six of Croatia’s seven games in Qatar, is reportedly valued at around £17 million. According to 90Min, he has been lined up by West Ham as a possible successor for the unhappy Vladimir Coufal.
“He had a great World Cup. Absolutely, he had a great World Cup. He was brilliant,” Postecoglou tells the Record, insisting that Celtic are yet to receive a single bid.
“Let me tell you right now; we don’t have an offer for any player. There’s nothing. Zero. Zip. Nada. Nothing going on.”
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