The English mainstream media’s lazy assessment of the valuation that Celtic have for a player on a long-term contract who was one of the top defenders at the World Cup and helped his country secure a third place finish is rather incredible.
Josip Juranovic ‘only’ plays in Scotland and his current club will be thrilled to receive a huge offer in the region of £8m for a player who might be required to ensure that injury hit Chelsea might make the top four in the Premier League to secure a Champions League spot.
ST ALBANS, ENGLAND – AUGUST 08: New Arsenal signing Kieran Tierney at London Colney on August 08, 2019 in St Albans, England. (Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)
Celtic a few years back sold a home grown full-back to Arsenal for £25m and at the time social media was full of Arsenal fans complaining at their side being asked to fork out such a huge price for £25m at the same time they were all happy to spend £70m on a winger from France. Few reckoned that Kieran Tierney didn’t provide the best value for money after that.
Celtic will NOT be selling Josip Juranovic to anyone in January for £8m and if offers come in at that level then Celtic will simply play the full-back starting at Ibrox on 2 January.
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Cetlic Chief Exectutive Peter Lawwell looks on during the Scottish Cup Final between Celtic and Aberdeen at Hampden Park on May 27, 2017. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Reading today’s headlines, Peter Lawwell will be spitting out his cornflakes, desperate to get started back at Celtic to take over the reins on these transfer wheeling and dealings, well maybe not but it’s a vivid image nevertheless.
Michael Nicholson and Ange Postecoglou have already got it covered and Josip Juranovic’ agent will be well aware of the minimum price that Celtic will be looking for if they are going to do business in January and that quoted price of £8m in today’s Daily Mail is at least £10m off the mark, maybe as much as £17m short.
Why would Celtic sell Juranovic – who is on a long term contract – for less than KT?
Kevin De Bruyne of Belgium crosses the ball past Josip Juranovic of Croatia during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Group F match between Croatia and Belgium at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium on December 01, 2022 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)
The Daily Mail headline reads: “Chelsea are ready to accelerate their long-term interest in Celtic right back Josip Juranovic after Reece James limped off against Bournemouth – with Croatian World Cup star potentially available for as little as £8m”
They go on to report: “The 27-year-old, who was named in the World Cup team of the tournament, could cost as little as £8million. The Scottish club have already agreed a deal to sign right back Alistair Johnston from MLS club CF Montreal.
“Chelsea were interested in Juranovic during the summer window and a deal could be wrapped up quickly once the January market reopens on Sunday. Juranovic was unquestionably one of the best defenders at the World Cup, his performance against Brazil – in which he largely nullified Vinicius Jr – particularly eye-catching.
And he is now set for a move to England with Chelsea, among others, readying an approach.”
