The Celtic defender’s medical showed a problem and the Bhoys would not allow a loan move.
Celtic’s Jozo Simunovic in action
This summer saw Joe Hart make a shock switch from Manchester City to Italian club Torino on loan.
But Celtic fans were far more interested in the player who headed out on the same plane as the England number one.
Jozo Simunovic headed out to Turin as it looked like he was set to join the Serie A club permanently from Celtic this summer.
But the deal fell apart.
Celtic’s Jozo Simunovic celebrates scoring their second goal
Since then there have been mixed stories regarding why the deal fell apart – but now the Torino sporting director has cleared things up.
Gianluca Petrachi has confirmed that there was a problem with Simunovic’s medical and that Torino attempted to renegotiate a loan deal with Celtic, which would become permanent if he proved his fitness.
But Celtic refused.
He is quoted by Toro News as stating:
“We went from Celtic and we said we invest, but first we want to subject the player to a medical.
“But we consulted with our doctors, they told us that the injury to the cartilage is a problem, because some can do triathlons on it but also there are those who have to stop doing athletic activities.
“So I called the Sports Director of Celtic and I told him: ‘Give me the player on loan with the redemption obligation. If he played a single minute would trigger the payment of €4 million. He replied: ‘Take the player immediately outright or nothing.’
Celtic’s Jozo Simunovic (R) in action with Kilmarnock’s Steven Smith (L)
“I’m very sorry because Simunovic wanted to come to Toro. He is not a sick player or problematic. I would have gladly invested four million, but I trusted the advice of medical professionals we have, that made me realize that it would not be a successful investment. “
The only real loser out of this whole situation appears to be the 22-year-old Croatian.
He has barely made an impact at Parkhead and Brendan Rodgers clearly doesn’t have him in mind for the rest of the season.
Torino fans
He has insisted he is committed to the Bhoys but first-team football with the club is looking unlikely at present.
It may be a long wait until January, when he can attempt to find a new club willing to gamble on his talent.
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