Scottish Premiership champions Celtic must move fast if they want to avoid missing out on Ardon Jashari with Porto now in talks with the Switzerland international.
For so long the apple of Mario Frick’s eye over at FC Luzern, tensions appear to be growing between player and coach.
“There are two or three things I haven’t liked about him lately,” an unhappy Frick tells Blick this week. “I told him that.”
The Luzern boss did not expand on exactly why Ardon Jashari had been singled out for criticism, though Blick believe that there are concerns regarding his focus as the captain continues to be linked with a big move away from the Swiss Super League.
Jashari is already Luzern’s skipper at the age of just 20; displaying the sort of maturity and level-headedness far beyond his years. Even he is not totally impervious to distraction however, especially with Blick reporting that Jashari may soon be offered the opportunity to showcase his talents on the Champions League stage.
Will Celtic win the race to sign Ardon Jashari?
Celtic, they say, are hoping to beat FC Porto to the signature of an all-action central midfielder who featured for his country at the Qatar World Cup late last year.
As things stand, Porto appear to be at the front of the queue. Portuguese publication Bola na Rede reports that ‘initial contact’ has already been made between player and club, though negotiations are not yet at an advanced stage.
Bola na Rede believe that Luzern will ask for around £4.5 million. Less than the £7 million fee floated in the Swiss press recently, and more attainable for a Celtic side operating on a smaller budget than many clubs of a similar size from around the continent.
The Hoops, however, may need to move quickly if they are to avoid being left behind in the pursuit of Jashari, especially as Porto have already opened a line of dialogue with the player’s camp.
Frick believes Jashari is a footballer with ‘no limits’, drawing comparisons with fellow Swiss international – and Arsenal enforcer – Granit Xhaka. Comparisons scout Oliver Zesiger tends to agree with.
“Jashari has a personality that qualifies him as a leader. You rarely see that at this age,” Zesiger tells Luzerner Zeitung.
“Physically, Granit is stronger. (But) both players can move the ball in progression. In addition, the two are good at reading a game and winning the ball back.
“If things continue, then he’ll definitely end up at a club in one of the top five leagues (in Europe).”
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