Chris Sutton is adamant Celtic should be demanding PS25million next month in exchange for Josip Juranovic.
The Croatia star is preparing to make an World Cup semi-final appearance against Argentina tonight in Qatar. Juranovic is receiving a lot of praise for his man-of-the-match performance against Brazil as his team swept the favourites for the tournament out. The 27-year-old has been attracting attention from all over Europe as Celtic’s pursuit of Canada player Alistair Johnston opening the door for a January transfer.
Ex-Celt Sutton who is currently in Qatar participating in the World Cup, believes his old club should attempt to keep Juranovic through the final stages of the season, due to the importance of securing another straight Premiership title and gaining an automatic re-entry into in the stage group in the Champions League. But, if he’s to leave in the next window, he claims Celtic should be asking for top-end prices at this crucial stage of the season with his stock in a record high, and his contract set to expire in 2026.
Sutton stated: “Juranovic’s performance against Brazil was watched by all over the world. Why should Celtic get the chance to demand for a large sum of sums of money?
“I believe that they should seek to keep him for next summer because he’s such an important player. Celtic have a name to secured. If circumstances call for him going to be released this month, it must be at a premium price.
“Of course the two most important aspects are the fact that the player is in Scotland as well as the fact that it is his 27th birthday. age.
“Firstly the league in which that he is in is not a matter of concern. He’s been a star at the Champions League and just been Man of the Match in a match in a match against one of best teams. He was also one of their top player at Vinicius Junior.
“Secondly 27, 27 isn’t old. He’s probably nearing his prime. There might not be a huge selling value for a buyer, but did that happen to the biggest clubs in Europe?
“My experiences have taught me that the majority of the purchasing in the major leagues that is done in January can be characterized by a sense of anxiety or despair about it.
“I’m not making comparisons between them as players however Kieran Tierney is a full-back who quit Celtic for Arsenal for PS25 million. Sure, Kieran had a younger age, but Juranovic will soon to be able to put an World Cup semi-final on his CV. Juranovic as well as Croatia could even be the winners of the tournament.
“Juranovic is a top choice for a nation that is consistently top performers at major tournaments and contests.
“Given the fact that it is being mid-season, and that Juranovic is expected to have completed a major role in a World Cup and given the fact that Celtic are not required to make a move, the club need to be aiming for the top.
“Ange Postecoglou” says it will happen into through the doors to make money to purchase better. In the present, Juranovic has the potential to produce plenty of money. If it means that they will take less during the summer and a third straight title is on the way and they’re able to win, then that’s an acceptable trade-off.”
