AC Monza have now joined West Ham United in the race to sign Josip Juranovic from Celtic in a January transfer. They are also trying to unite the right-back with a Croatia teammate.
That is according to Calciomercato, which reports the Stadio Brianteo outfit are exploring a deal for Juranovic this month. The Biancorossi are keen to bolster boss Raffaele Palladino’s options in the mid-season sales having produced an inconsistent campaign so far this term.
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Monza sit 14th in Serie A after five wins through 15 games in their debut term in the Italian top-flight. They now see right-back and left-forward as two areas to improve and have two Croatia players in mind. Juranovic is one, along with another Josip in 24-year-old Brekalo.
Biancorossi chiefs admire the Celtic full-back and Wolfsburg winger as they scout potential targets for January transfers. Yet Monza also already have a Plan-B in store for if Brekalo is not interested in moving back to Italy or if Die Wolfe now price the Croatia star of a switch.
Monza would move for Hellas Verona star Darko Lazovic if Brekalo is not keen on a move. The Wolfsburg winger spent the 2021/22 season on loan in Serie A to Torino while scoring seven goals and two assists over 32 outings. Now, he could unite with Juranovic at Monza.
Celtic are demanding a high profit to grant West Ham target Juranovic’s transfer
Monza will face a wealth of rival interest, including from West Ham, to secure Juranovic’s transfer from Celtic. The Sunday Post (11/12, back page) has reported that the Hammers, Chelsea, Manchester United and Newcastle United are also contending for the right-back.
While the Daily Record has reported that Celtic informed Torino that Juranovic would cost at least £17m in January. The Bhoys only signed him from Legia Warsaw in August 2021 for £2.5m. He is also under contract at Parkhead on a £16k-a-week deal through to May 2026.
Yet West Ham, Monza and Barcelona – who Sky Sports reports view Juranovic as their top right-back target – are all interested in agreeing a transfer with Celtic. Yet they could baulk at a transfer for £17m after Ally McCoist tore into his display against Rangers this Monday.
“Juranovic’s starting position is shocking, absolutely shocking,” McCoist said on Sky Sports Main Event (2/1, 13:38) after Ryan Kent scored. “How he can go there 10 yards outside of [Fashion] Sakala is frankly unbelievable.”
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