Scottish Premiership champions Celtic are one of the leading candidates to sign FC Luzern captain Ardon Jashari even if the Switzerland international could set Ange Postecoglou back up to £7 million.
On the face of it, a new midfielder is not something you would maybe expect Celtic to prioritise during the upcoming summer window.
Delve a little deeper, however, and you can see why Ardon Jashari – who was first linked with the Hoops in late-2022 and has continued to perform at a high level since the turn of the year – remains on the radar.
James McCarthy, Celtic’s injury-hit forgotten man, is likely to be on his way. Yosuke Ideguchi could go too. And then there’s Aaron Mooy; outstanding in recent months but 33 in September.
Celtic are targeting Switzerland international Ardon Jashari
With all things considered, then, Jashari – a man 13 years Mooy’s junior – could still prove to be a valuable, long-term addition to Postecoglou’s Premiership-winning squad.
Captain of FC Luzern at the age of just 20; Blick report that Jashari is ‘likely to leave’ this summer. Celtic and Porto are currently at the front of the queue. Though there is also interest from Serie A giants Lazio and Atalanta.
Whether Celtic can meet Luzern’s £7 million asking price, time will tell. But his vast potential and substantial re-sale value means this could still be money very well spent, Jashari showing just how highly he is regarded back home in Switzerland by featuring – albeit briefly – during the Qatar World Cup.
The riches of the Champions League – Celtic heading back to the group-stages – will also enhance the funds available to Postecoglou this summer.
The Swiss Jude Bellingham?
An ‘exceptionally gifted’ central midfielder; Jashari has been likened to Borussia Dortmund’s Jude Bellingham due to his wide-ranging skill-set and eye-catching technical ability.
“For me, Jashari is the greatest talent in Switzerland,” Luzern coach Mario Frick says of the tireless skipper. “He’s really good. I think this role (as one of the club’s captains) gives him an extra push.”
Celtic could free up funds by getting a host of unwanted talent off the wage bill. Albian Ajeti, Vasilis Barkas, Ismaila Soro and the aforementioned McCarthy are all facing uncertain futures under Postecoglou.
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