Swedish Report: Hammarby preparing to sell Celtic target Mohanad Jeahze

By David Walton

May 19, 2022

Hammarby are getting themselves ready to sell reported Celtic target Mohanad Jeahze this summer, according to Swedish outlet Expressen.

Despite Ange Postecoglou and Jeahze both distancing themselves over the idea that a deal was close, Expressen believes that the interest remains genuine. This comes after Celtic reportedly scouted the player earlier this month.

The report states that the Swedish side are preparing for life without the Iraq international. So much so that they’re already identifying players they can get to replace him. Their ideal replacement appears to have been selected too, with Hannover’s Niklas Hult reportedly their preferred target.

Celtic have been the only club linked with a move for Jeahze in recent weeks. Therefore, if the report from Expressen is true, then Hammarby are clearly of the belief that an offer from Parkhead is coming their way.

Jeahze stated earlier this week that he did not know of any agreement with Celtic despite bigging the club up [Fotboll Direkt]. Ange, meanwhile, also stated that there had been no accepted offers for any potential transfer targets as of yet [Celtic TV].

But this one looks like it’ll rumble on for some time yet, with a deal evidently not imminent despite the speculation.

Hammarby making moves as they prepare for Mohanad Jeahze departure

We won’t have long to wait before we find out just how serious Celtic’s interest in the player actually is. Ange has already stated that he ideally wants his new signings in before the beginning of pre-season [The Scotsman].

With that being the case and given the lack of obstacles seemingly in our path for this one, it makes no sense as to how there would be any real complications. No real reason for this to be halted or stalled.

The transfer fee Hammarby reportedly want for Jeahze is around £2m [Scottish Sun]. That’s hardly a figure that would be giving Celtic bother. Should Ange really believe that the Iraqi is the man to provide genuine competition for Greg Taylor, it looks a fairly routine deal to do.

The player himself also sounds as though he would be interested in the move. He hasn’t once stated that a switch to Parkhead isn’t something he wouldn’t consider. He hasn’t ruled out the prospect of a summer departure in general either. From the outside, it feels as if he’s waiting for Celtic to make their official move.

If nothing comes of this before the start of pre-season, you would have to assume he isn’t someone we’ve decided to go for. With not much in the way of reported competition, and with the player close to the final year of his contract, it’s all there for us to go and finalise if we feel it’s right.

It’s clear Hammarby think something is in the offing in any case.

In other news, “Terrific manager”; Class remarks on Ange emerge from the Celtic dressing room