Report: Celtic agree fee for Legia Warsaw right-back Josip Juranovic

By Euan Davidson

August 17, 2021

Celtic have agreed a fee for Croatia international Josip Juranovic of Legia Warsaw, according to Sky Sports.

The channel’s reporter Lyall Thomas shared that a £2.5m fee have been sorted between the clubs. Celtic had been locked in negotiations with the Polish outfit, who rejected a £2m bid earlier today.

According to Sky Sports, Juranovic has been left to agree personal terms with the Bhoys. With guaranteed European football this season, as well as the chance to challenge for titles, Celtic oughtn’t struggle here.

Juranovic impressed with Croatia at Euro 2020. The 26-year-old, with 10 caps for his national team [Transfermarkt], played against Scotland in the tournament, winning 3-1.

Celtic’s need for a right-back has been obvious. Despite the upturn in form for Anthony Ralston, Ange Postecoglou needs depth in key positions. That includes right-back, where the Bhoys are utterly threadbare. The departures of Jeremie Frimpong, Hatem Abd Elhamed and loanee Jonjoe Kenny have left Ralston as the default option.

Ireland youth international Lee O’Connor played some minutes in pre-season, but hasn’t yet broken through. He spent last season on loan with Tranmere Rovers.

Celtic would be doing great business at the reported price for Croatia international Josip Juranovic

Now, this is the importance of good scouting.

An international defender, who’s proven in Europe, for just £2.5m? Sign us up, sign us up immediately.

With an excellent passing range, superb stamina and plenty of big-game experience, Juranovic really is a solid option. To many, he could remind of Mikael Lustig, with perhaps more finesse from set-pieces.

At the very least, he’s an experienced campaigner with international pedigree. After the signings of Carl Starfelt, Joe Hart, Kyogo Furuhashi and James McCarthy, it’s clear there’s an agenda here. Long-term projects are fine and well. But we needed players to come in right away and contribute.

Juranovic, by all accounts, can do that.

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