Rapid Vienna are hoping to keep hold of star midfielder Dejan Ljubicic amid claims that he is a £2 million target for Celtic, Rangers and Southampton, sporting director Zoran Barisic has told Krone.
If Steven Gerrard’s Gers are hoping to stop Celtic’s ‘ten in a row’ dreams next season, then beating their Old Firm neighbours to an exciting young midfielder would certainly represent a step in the right direction.
6ft 2ins Ljubicic is the latest deep-lying powerhouse to be linked with a summer move to Ibrox.
The Mail, meanwhile, claims that Celtic, Brentford and Southampton are all holding talks over a deal for a £2 million-rated giant renowned for his impressive passing range and tactical versatility.
But, while speculation has suggested that Rapid Vienna will be forced to sell their star players in an era of unprecedented financial uncertainty, Barisic has not given up hope that Ljubicic will still be plying his trade in Austria when 2020/21 gets underway.
“I hope so,” the director said when asked if he thought the coveted 22-year-old would stay. “Anything can happen.
“There is currently no concrete offer, only loose inquiries.
“There will be no emergency sales. The economic situation is well known and challenging, but I would be stupid to put price tags on my players.”
Ljubicic’s £2 million price-tag is unlikely to put off any potential suitors, however, with the Vienna-born giant exactly the kind of young, under-the-radar talent that Celtic, Southampton and Brentford are famed for signing.
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