La Liga side Alaves are keen on Celtic defender Jozo Simunovic, according to The Scottish Sun.
The 6’2″ colossus [Transfermarkt] has made 29 appearances for the Hoops this season, and has been a virtual ever-present in the latter stages of the season under Neil Lennon.
It is understood that Alaves, who finished 11th in the Spanish league, are interested to snap up the Croatian-born ace, and could pay up to £4 million for the centre-back.
Good move for Celtic?
A little while ago, you would have been tempted to say yes. Simunovic was a bit lacklustre under Brendan Rodgers, and was generally in and out of the side on a week to week basis. Now, however, under Lennon, he has kicked on to become a really important part of the Hoops’ defence. Losing him would be a real blow, especially if Lennon is given the job on a full-time basis. You get the impression that the manager would like to keep him on board as a central figure, and shipping him off at the first opportunity would be less than preferable.
This is Futbol rating: 4/10
Likely to happen?
£4 million isn’t bad money for a player like Simunovic. If the Hoops can fetch that kind of fee, maybe even push for a little bit more, they will feel that they can reinvest that money elsewhere and make a bit of a killing on this one. On the basis of the money alone, this could be a goer, but at the same time, if Lennon, or any manager who comes in for that matter, decides that they are better off with the defender in their ranks then you would hope that he wouldn’t be going anywhere.
This is Futbol rating: 6/10