La Liga heavyweights Barcelona are reportedly interested in 27-year-old Celtic defender Josip Juranovic amid his World Cup heroics.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Josip Juranovic has emerged on the radar of FC Barcelona. The Catalan giants view the 27-year-old Celtic defender as a potential alternative to Diogo Dalot, who will unlikely leave Manchester United next year.
Josip Juranovic has gone from strength to strength since joining Celtic from Legia Warszawa last year. The Croatian defender had gone under the radar during his stints in his homeland and Poland. But the move to Celtic has done wonders for his career, and his stock has skyrocketed during the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
The 27-year-old has enjoyed a solid campaign at the club level, chipping in with one goal and one assist in 15 appearances thus far. And Juranovic has been sensational at the World Cup, with his best performance coming against Brazil in the quarter-finals. The player’s exploits have not gone unnoticed either, with Barcelona his latest prospective suitor.
Barcelona will delve into the market for a right-back following Hector Bellerin’s sub-par displays. The Spaniard was always going to be a short-term solution after signing a one-year contract in the summer. But the former Arsenal defender has left a lot to be desired with his performances this season.
So Bellerin will unlikely sign a new contract with Barcelona, who will need to bring in a right-back next year. Several players, including Denzel Dumfries, have thus emerged on the Catalan club’s radar. But Diogo Dalot is reportedly the priority target for Barcelona for the 2023 summer transfer window.
However, the Portuguese international is reportedly an “impossible target” for Barcelona as he will unlikely leave Manchester United. Juranovic has thus emerged as a viable alternative, particularly after his heroics at the World Cup. But Barcelona will face stiff competition for the 27-year-old.
The Croatian international has also emerged as a target for Chelsea, Manchester United, and West Ham United. So Barcelona will unlikely have a clear run at Juranovic if they pursue him next year. And it will be interesting to see where the 27-year-old lands when he leaves Celtic.
