Royal Antwerp’s demands for Aurelio Buta have resulted in Celtic walking away from a potential deal. According to Sky Sports, Antwerp were demanding up to £5m for the full-back, despite the 23-year-old entering the final year of his contract. This outlandish valuation has resulted in Celtic turning their attentions elsewhere and luck would have it that a better option has presented itself.
Celtic clearly did not value Buta as highly as the Belgians and will pursue Croatian Internationalist Josip Juranovic as the search for a new right-back continues. Buta had been a high-energy option, in the mould of someone like Jeremie Frimpong. However, as Ange Postecoglou looks for a first team option, he needs to know that he can trust someone that can play in the inverted wing-back role that Tony Ralston currently occupies.
Celtic have turned their attention to Legia Warsaw’s Josip Juranovic in any case after the Polish Champions crashed out of the Champions League. Juranovic, who has ten caps for Croatia, represents a better option than Buta but with the Champions League exit to Dinamo Zagreb, an opportunity has presented itself to Celtic to sign the player.
Reports in Poland state that Celtic are working hard on a deal and that they are keen to get a deal done with the Croatian’s representatives in the next few days.
