Opinion: Celtic should stay well clear of dealing with Barcelona over Josip Juranovic

The rumour over Josip Juranovic having interest from Barcelona is not a good idea. If, those whispers are to be believed, it would create a problem for Celtic as Juranovic may find the allure of playing for the La Liga giants too much to refuse. This might make life difficult for the Hoops.

In no way, shape, or form should Celtic Football Club enter into negotiations with the crazy businessmen that run FC Barcelona. They have mortgaged their future much the same way that Craig Whyte tried – and failed – to do when he purchased the old Rangers of 1872. We all know how that one turned out, don’t we?

 Daizen Maeda is consoled by Josip Juranovic after after lost on penalty shoot-out the Qatar 2022 World Cup round of 16 football match between Japan and Croatia at the Al-Janoub Stadium in Al-Wakrah, south of Doha on December 5, 2022. (Photo by ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP via Getty Images)

Well, in the spirit of that uncomfortable historical fact for a lot of people in Scottish football, Michael Nicholson should not even entertain any bids whatsoever from the Catalonian side. It’s just far too risky considering their current financial insecurity. The fiduciary responsibilities over there seem to have went out the window with any sense that remained.

Josip Juranovic and Liel Abada celebrate after their sides victory during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Celtic and theRangers at Celtic Park on September 03, 2022. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)

When Celtic do sell Juranovic, we should be asking for the rump of the fee up front regardless. He’s a proven talent and his record now speaks for itself, after performing on the grandest stage of them all. I understand that most transfer deals and fees are never paid in one full transaction, and that’s fine. But we should be looking at getting most of it at the time of departure in my opinion.

Barcelona are never likely to be up to that task; they struggled to register several players due to the governing bodies in Spain unsure about their massive wage bill. It would be complete and utter folly if Celtic were to deal with them – if their interest proves to be concrete and they want to talk.

It’s a sure-fire way to get our fingers burnt.

Simple as that.

Paul Gillespie

About Author

I'm a Garngad Bhoy through and through. My first ever Celtic game was a friendly against Italian side Parma at Celtic Park, in 2002. Currently a student of English Literature and Education at the University of Strathclyde for my sins. Favourite game would be a toss up between beating Manchester United with that Naka freekick, or the game against the Oldco when Hesselink scored in the dying seconds. I'm still convinced Cal Mac is wasted playing that far back.

1 Comment