One of the biggest transfer stories of the summer that didn’t come to fruition for Celtic was undoubtedly the reported pursuit of HNK Gorica’s Kristijan Lovric.
The Croatian winger started following the club on Instagram over the summer window. Meanwhile, the Daily Record were reporting that he would cost £5m after a big year last season. Unfortunately, however, nothing would come of it.
Fast forward 6 months and it appears as though Gorica are itching to cash in. With a contract that’s up in the summer of 2023, this could be one of the final opportunities for the Croatian club to get a decent fee before his valuation massively depreciates.
Croatian outlet Sportske Novosti reported last week that the player is itching for a move to the interested NK Osijek. It’s said that Gorica want a greater figure for the player than Osijek are willing to provide. The outlet reports that the Osijek camp believe a move is dead.
Meanwhile, the same outlet reported just a few days ago that selling Lovric is a priority for the Croatian club this January. So much so that their president is willing to give the player away below his full cost.
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In theory, that would mean that Lovric is potentially available for less than the £5m mooted in the summer. However, it would remain to be seen whether they would continue that stance throughout proper negotiations.
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Kristijan Lovric set to be on the move soon; any sign of Celtic launching a bid?
Lovric is primarily a left-winger. That automatically makes him an attractive proposition when you look at our own situation in that particular area of the pitch.
Yes, we have Jota who continues to be first choice when fit. However, there is no guarantee we’ll secure a deal for the Portuguese talent between now and the summer. Having Lovric in the door would ensure we have either genuine competition or a ready replacement waiting in the wings.
Celtic also have Mikey Johnston who can play on the left. But unfortunately, there are no signs that Mikey is set to take the next step just yet. If Lovric is available on a cut-price deal this month, that would seem like a snip considering it’s a position we need another option in.
It’s not as if the Croatian winger, who was capped by his national team for the first time back in March, hasn’t been in form this season. He’s picked up exactly where he left off last year, with 10 goals and 4 assists to his name in the first half of the Croatian First League campaign [Transfermarkt].
As of yet, there have been no reports this month of Celtic reigniting their interest. That automatically makes you believe we’ve switched our attention elsewhere. But left-wing continues to be one of the few positions in which we’re genuinely light on quality.
Lovric still appears to be the correct answer. The final decision, of course, will go to Ange Postecoglou. But it wouldn’t be surprising if something were to happen here in the coming weeks. Not with how it’s shaping up.
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