ITALIAN outfit Pescara are ready to HALF their original valuation of £3million for Brazilian striker Jonathas, who has been tracked by Celtic.
The 26-year-old frontman is on loan at Spanish side Elche and has scored 12 goals for a team who are struggling in the bottom half of La Liga.
Jonathas’ sparkling form has also attracted Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone while Monaco have been alerted to his strike rate in the top flight.
His current loan deal with Elche lasts until June 2016. It includes a £1.5million clause option to make the move permanent, but that fee is now beyond the Spaniards given their precarious financial situation.
Serie B side Pescara will now look elsewhere to cash in on the player – and drop their asking price.
The South American has already stated he would be interested in joining the four-in-a-row SPFL champions.
He admitted: “I know all about Celtic, how big they are in Europe and about their fans.
“And they win their league which means which means they are constantly qualifying for the Champions League.
“Any player will tell you the ultimate dream is to be playing against the best in the Champions League.”
A fee of £1.5million won’t frighten off Ronny Deila who will be looking to beef up his attacking options in the new season with John Guidetti almost certain to move elsewhere and Anthony Stokes linked with a reunion with ex-gaffer Neil Lennon at Bolton.
There is also unlikely to be places for Teemu Pukki and Amido Balde after spending the season on loan elsewhere.
