JOSIP JURANOVIC has almost certainly kicked his last ball for Celtic.
The Croatia World Cup defender looks to be on his way to Serie A new boys Monza for a ludicrously low fee of £7million.
Juranovic’s switch will be on an initial loan basis with the agreed payment deferred until the summer.
HEADING OUT…Josip Juranovic looks to be on the move to Serie A club Monza.
It’s a similar contract to the one which the Hoops hierarchy utilised when they brought in Daizen Maeda on temporary terms from Yokohama F Marinos a year ago before the switch was made permanent.
Likewise, midfielder Tomoki Iwata has joined the champions from the same J-League outfit on an identical agreement.
Juranovic, 27, joined Ange Postecoglou’s revolution in August 2021 when he signed a five-year deal following the Parkhead club’s accepted £2.5million bid for the Legia Warsaw right-back.
However, he has knocked back an enhanced contract and is keen to join Monza, according to a report in the Daily Mail.
The club are owned by former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Juranovic’s representatives held talks in Milan at the end of last week.
Juranovic was an unused substitute in the 2-0 win over Kilmarnock at Parkhead at the weekend with Postecoglou opting to go with Canada World Cup star Alistair Johnston, the recent £3.5million arrival from CF Montreal, in the No.2 position.
Monza head coach Raffaele Palladino is keen to get the transfer over the line quickly, possibly before the end of the week.
A BIG HAND…a frustrated-looking Giorgos Giakoumakis applauds the fans after his substitute’s appearance in the 4-0 win over Hibs at Easter Road just before the turn of the year.
Greek international Giakoumakis, who was recruited at the same time as the Croatian defender in a £2.5million deal from Dutch minnows VVV-Venlo, has also knocked back improved terms and looks to be on his way within the next three weeks.
The 28-year-old powerhouse striker has not started a game for the Hoops since the 4-2 win over Dundee United on November 5.
Giakoumakis made his eighth successive substitute appearance on Saturday when he replaced Kyogo Furuhashi in the 63rd minute.
His last goal was in the 1-1 Champions League draw with Shakhtar Donetsk on October 25 although he was out of luck against Killie with two efforts that smacked against the woodwork.
Ambitious J-League outfit Orawa Red Diamonds are said to be in discussions with the Parkhead bosses over a transfer fee for Giakoumakis.
The club, which is bankrolled by Mitsubishi, are continuing talks about the possibility of landing the frontman with “negotiations progressing well.” according to reports in Japan.
Giakoumakis, apparently earning £11,000 per week at the Hoops, is frustrated by his salary and his lack of game time.
I’M IN CHARGE…Alistair Johnston has played in both of Celtic’s games in 2023.
Postecoglou, preparing for Saturday evening’s League Cup semi-final encounter against Kilmarnock at Hampden, body swerved speculation over the forward’s future at the weekend.
The Greek-Australian merely said: “I just deal with what’s in front of me. Giako has been working hard, but Kyogo is in great form, scoring every week.
“So, he’s having to come on and make a contribution – and he hasn’t flinched from that.”
With the club and player reaching an impasse in their contract negotiations, there appears only one solution and that will see Giakoumakis, like Juranovic, heading for the Hoops exit in this January window.
