‘Hope it’s not true’: Manager is praying his £8m star doesn’t leave for Celtic

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Slavisa Jokanovic has played down reports claiming Celtic want Sheffield United defender George Baldock, telling the Yorkshire Live that he hopes speculation is wide of the mark.

While the Hoops have reinforced a rather wasteful frontline with the intriguing additions of Liel Abada and Kyogo Furuhashi, there remains a nagging feeling that this Ange Postecoglou project is being built on sand.

Just one day away from a crucial Champions League qualification clash with FC Mitdylland, Celtic still need a centre-half, a left-back, a dominant central midfielder and, arguably, a new goalkeeper too. 

Furthermore, the Glasgow giants do not have a first-team right-back worthy of the name at present.

Jeremie Frimpong, Jonjoe Kenny and Hatem Abd Elhamed have all left since the turn of the year, leaving Anthony Ralston as the club’s current first-choice.

Will Sheffield United’s George Baldock join Celtic?

The Star reported last week that Postecoglou had chosen Baldock as his number one right-back target, having poured over footage of a man renowned for his energy and superb crossing ability.

But with Sheffield United expected to demand somewhere in the region of £8 million, Celtic appear to be looking elsewhere now – much to the relief of Jokanovic.

“I am reading the newspaper like all the people, but this news is still not coming to me,” said the former Fulham and Watford boss, who will be looking to secure promotion from the Championship for the third time next season.

“You never know in this world what can happen, but this gossip in the newspaper I hope is not true.”

While Baldock may be out of Celtic’s reach at £8 million, the same cannot be said of Brandon Soppy.

Ligue 1 giants Rennes will accept around £4 million for the highly-rated Frenchman, while Aurelio Buta and Sacha Boey have also been linked. 

Celtic have, however, accepted defeat in their attempts to sign Valentin Rosier from Sporting Lisbon.

Negotiations collapsed after it became clear that Rosier only wanted to join Besiktas, having won a league and cup double on loan in Istanbul last season.