'Concerned': Legend worried by claims £15m ace could join West Ham
06/12/2022 19:30
Celtic legend Charlie Nicholas is concerned about reports suggesting Croatia’s World Cup right-back Josip Juranovic could leave the Glasgow giants with a move to Premier League outfit West Ham United on the cards, speaking to The Express.
With Borna Barisic on one side and Old Firm neighbour Juranovic on the other, Zlatko Dalic’s Croatia held their nerve to defeat perennial underdogs Japan in the World Cup last-16 on Monday, setting up a quarter-final meeting with pre-tournament favourites Brazil.
And another eye-catching performance, up against truly fearsome opposition in Vinicius Jr and Neymar, will only increase the interest in a man who’s all-action defending has earned him plenty of admirers since that bargain £2.5 million move to Celtic in the summer of 2021.
According to the Daily Record, Celtic are expecting approaches for Juranovic in the New Year. Hence why Alistair Johnston, who made such an impact with Canada, has been snapped up well ahead of time.
Not that the arrival of a readymade replacement is easing Nicholas’ fears, however, with Ange Postecoglou facing up to the prospect of losing not one but two of his title-winning favourites in January.
West Ham United could sign Celtic’s Josip Juranovic after impressing at Qatar World Cup
“I am concerned with what is happening on the contract front with Josip Juranovic and (Greek striker) Giorgios Giakoumakis at Celtic ,” says former Scotland international Nicholas.
“Both are big players. So it’s alarming they could be sold by the club if neither are able to agree new deals. Players come and go, I get it. But the bigger picture worries me. What does Postecoglou really think about losing two of his key men?”
According to the Record, talks over a new deal for Giakoumakis have broken down. The £15 million-rated Juranovic, meanwhile, is a target for West Ham (90Min).
“I am a big fan of Juranovic. He hasn’t looked out of place with Croatia in the knockout stages of the World Cup and could easily play in the English Premier League or any one of Europe’s top divisions,” Nicholas adds.
“I know the club have just signed Alistair Johnston from Montreal for £3m but he isn’t a better right-back.”
Coufal out, Juranovic in?
West Ham’s interest in Juranovic comes as Vladimir Coufal looks likely to leave the London Stadium. The Czech international admitts that he’ll consider his future if he remains on the bench under David Moyes.
“If the situation that occurred during the autumn were to continue, something will definitely be resolved and is being resolved. I don’t want to sit on the bench here as much as in the autumn,” Coufal says.
“If possible, I would like to stay in England. The Premier League is the best league in the world. And if I were to speculate, I would also be tempted by the Bundesliga.
“You never know what can happen when the transfer window opens.”
Bayer Leverkusen are reportedly in talks with Coufal’s camp (Sky Sports).
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