Rubin Kazan’s 28 times capped Montenegro winger Sead Haksabanovic has been linked once more with a move to Celtic, with Swedish outlet Aftonbladet claiming Celtic are likely to return with a second attempt to sign the versatile frontman, after reportedly having a recent attempt to sign the player rebuffed, with Aftonblat reporting.
PODGORICA, MONTENEGRO – JUNE 11: Sead Haksabanovic of Montenegro and Amir Hadziahmetovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina during the UEFA Nations League League B Group 3 match between Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina at Gradski Stadion on June 11, 2022 in Podgorica, Montenegro. (Photo by Filip Filipovic/Getty Images)
‘It was a few weeks ago that the Russian newspaper Sport-Express reported that Celtic tried to sign Sead Haksabanovic from Rubin Kazan. The player has not yet broken his contract and is trying to break free from Russia.
‘Celtic is the main track. But at the moment the club prefers to sell the player and that he is thus bought out of his contract instead of going on a season-long loan as most other foreign players have done. But two weeks ago Celtic’s signing attempt failed and the player is now training on his own.
‘According to Sportbladet’s Scottish information, Celtic are now making a new attempt to try to free the player from Rubin Kazan and get him into the team building as soon as possible. Celtic is also Haksabanovic’s main track and the opportunity to play in the Champions League and to win titles attracts the 23-year-old.’
Haksabanovic may be a recognisable name to some, given the wide player spent time in the EPL with West Ham, as well as on loan with Malaga, before Swedish side Norrköping signed the player on a permanent basis from the Hammers.
Since then, Rubin Kazan picked up Haksabanovic on a permanent deal before loaning the player to Djurgården last season. The Swedish club are keen for the player to return to them this season, however they are only in the market for a loan deal, something Rubin Kazan may well return to at a later date, but it appears the Russian club are keen to offload the player permanently if the right deal can be agreed.
Ange Postecoglou has already stated following Celtic’s 5-0 win over Kilmarnock last weekend, that a couple of new faces may still arrive to supplement the current first team squad, but was keen to emphasise such players would ideally be able to perform in more than one position.
Haksabanovic may fit the bill, as despite playing predominately on the left wing, he has also been utilised on the right wing and as a central attacking midfielder, as well as a striker, and such versatility may well be in his favour if indeed Celtic are looking to bring the player before the transfer window closes.
Yet there would also be nagging concerns. At the top level Haksabanovic only played twice for both West Ham and Malaga and Rubin Kazan is his sixth club already despite only being 23 years old. That said, a nomadic existence on loan clearly didn’t do Cameron Carter-Vickers any harm prior to arriving in Glasgow and that particular deal worked out very nicely indeed
In terms of age, an ability to operate in multiple positions and as a player with a point to prove, Haksabanovic would certainly appear to fit the transfer profile of the majority of Postecoglou’s signings. As such, it will be interesting to see how this one develops in the next couple of weeks.
Niall J
“Reveals: Celtic make another bid to sign Sead Haksabanovic. The Scottish big club is the main track right now,” the Stockholm based football journalist at Sportbladet, Daniel Kristoffersson has reported.
