‘He’s sad; lack of respect’: Reported Celtic and West Brom target fumes after exit is blocked

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Bodo/Glimt striker Kasper Junker was far from happy after being denied the chance to test himself in a major European league this month, the reported West Brom, Celtic and Crystal Palace striker’s agent told VG.

After firing Bodo/Glimt to the Eliteserien title last season with 27 goals in 28 games, the late-blooming Dane assumed that he would be given the chance to follow in the footsteps of former teammates Jens Petter Hauge and Phillip Zinkernagel.

But, while Hauge is now fighting for the Serie A title with AC Milan as Zinkernagel adapts to life at Watford, Junker is stuck in Scandinavia.

TEAMtalk reported that Celtic, West Bromwich Albion, Crystal Palace and a host of Championship clubs had shown an interest in the 26-year-old.

Bodo/Glimt were never going to let their star man go without a fight however and, with the transfer window slamming shut on Monday night, it’s a battle they have won; much to the frustration of the player and his agent.

“He is sad. I just talked to him. He said ‘I’m not even angry, I just do not understand. I will be 27 in March. This was my chance. They take it from me because they want to make more money’,” Christian Bysted explained.

“Now we cannot sign for a European club. It’s too late. I think it’s a completely crazy case. I have never in my life experienced anything like this.

“They brought Junker for 370,000 euros a year ago and promised him that, if he stayed for a year, scored 20 goals and won the league, then he could leave. It sounded like a good plan to all parties. Now they could sell him for five, six, seven and eight times as much.

“Still, they choose to push, push and push to see if they can get the last pennies out of a deal.

“I think there is a lack of respect for a player who has done everything they have asked.”

Serie A strugglers Crotone came closer than anyone to landing Junker in the end, with VG reporting that they put together a package worth just shy of £3 million.

Yet if Junker can replicate his remarkable form of last season, you would imagine that he will get his big break eventually; even if it arrives later than he’d have liked.