Italian football journalist Fabrizio Romano has updated that FC Basel are keen on signing Djordje Jovanović from Maccabi Tel Aviv. The Serbian striker has an impressive record from last season in Israel, netting twenty two times; however, this move will have an impact on Celtic.
Celtic had been hoping that the Swiss club would be a possible destination for Albian Ajeti. The Herald reported earlier this month that they were considering a move but the wages currently paid to the Swiss forward were perceived as being too expensive.
The 26-year-old has a year remaining on his deal with the Scottish Champions but it appears that his time in Glasgow is expected to come to an end with Celtic unlikely to recoup any of the £4.5m outlay paid to West Ham in 2020.
Albian Ajeti of Celtic reacts after he scoresl during the Cinch Premiership match between Celtic and Ross County on September 11, 2021. Photo Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Ajeti is said to be happy to run down his contract rather than agreeing an early settlement with Celtic. Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers will likely want to redistribute the wages by clearing Ajeti out. The decision by the Irishman not to include the forward in pre-season camps over in Portugal and Japan was telling. Ajeti showed promise under Neil Lennon and Ange Postecoglou, albeit briefly, and it’s likely that John Kennedy and Gavin Strachan have warned the manager against attempting to bring the player in from the cold.
Vasilis Barkas decided with the club to simply rip up his contract, which allowed him to re-sign for Utrecht in the Netherlands.
Ajeti will, for the time being, remain as a Celtic player as the club look to move him on this window.
Meanwhile, check out Matt Corr speaking to the one and only Martin O’Neill on The Celtic Star Podcast…
