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Everton miss a trick as Union Berlin agree £10million deal for Celtic defender Josip Juranovic
Everton have “missed a trick” in not snapping up Celtic right-back Josip Juranovic who is on his way to Union Berlin, according to Sky Sports journalist Lyall Thomas.
The Croatian international is set to sign for the German side for an initial £7.5million after being linked to the likes of Chelsea and Barcelona during the January window [Sky Sports, 21 January].
And with Everton reportedly in the market at the position with Nathan Patterson out injured, having had an offer turned down by Hector Bellerin at the Camp Nou [Sport, 20 January], Thomas doesn’t understand why the Toffees and a host of other Premier League sides didn’t move for Juranovic.
Posting on Twitter on Saturday night (21 January) the Sky Sports reporter wrote: “Genuinely perplexed that one of all these Premier League clubs wanting to sign a right-back haven’t snapped up Juranovic for £10m…
“Fulham, [Southampton], [Crystal] Palace, Everton, [Bournemouth] etc have missed a trick imo.”
Missed out
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Having paid big money for a right back from one side of the Old Firm rivalry in Rangers’ Patterson a year ago Everton are no stranger to the SPFL.
They could have done a lot worse than landing a second from Celtic, especially considering the comparatively modest fee involved.
The issue of payment scheduling may have been relevant since it is a low amount, but it doesn’t look like the Toffees were even in this race.
The 27-year-old made six appearances at the World Cup, has recent Champions League experience, and won the Scottish title in his only full season at Parkhead.
At the same time there must be a reason why none of the English sides mentioned ultimately went in for him if it was less than £10million that would have landed him.
On the surface it does look like a deal that would have solved an issue at Goodison Park, but with so many of those to address perhaps this one would have prevented others from getting the right attention.
Whether they will get that attention either way now remains to be seen, with a loan move for Arnaut Danjuma the only addition so far ready [Fabrizio Romano, 21 January] this deep into the window, and major questions now hanging over whether Frank Lampard will see out the month.