DIRESCTOR DOWNPLAY SIGNING OF £2M STAR BY CELTIC – ‘NOT HEARD ANYTHING’.
Hammarby director Jesper Jansson is not aware of any truth in reports saying Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic want Mohanad Jeahze in a £2 million summer swoop, speaking to Sport Expressen.
It was The Sun, last month, who first mentioned the 25-year-old Iraq international as a potential addition to Celtic’s Scottish Premiership-leading squad.
Alongside a ball-playing centre-half and a new right-winger, a swashbuckling left-back is high on Postecoglou’s summer wishlist and Jeahze certainly fits the bill.
He has five assists from 14 games already this season, his drive and delivery helping Hammarby climb to the summit of the Allsvenskan.
Celtic reportedly sent scouts to watch Jeahze during Monday’s 0-0 draw with Malmo too.
But, while acknowledging interest in one of his key players, Jansson is at pains to point out that the Glasgow giants have not made contact with anyone at Hammarby at this stage.
DO CELTIC WANT MOHANAD JEAHZE?
“(There is) nothing new (to report). I know nothing more than what is written in the media,” says the club’s sporting director.
“There is certainly an interest but I have not heard anything.”
Jeahze, who is valued in the region of £2 million, would provide competition for Greg Taylor on the left-hand side of Postecoglou’s backline. He seemingly fits the Australian’s free-flowing tactical system better than the former Kilmarnock man too, mustering more assists in 15 games this term than Taylor has in 32 (just three).
Celtic are also reportedly keen on Callum Styles, a versatile Hungary international relegated from England’s second tier with Barnsley recently.
According to L’Equipe, the Premiership leaders submitted a £2.5 million bid for Caen striker Alexandre Mendy too. The forward’s agent played down those reports a couple of days ago however.
“We don’t know where the story comes from,” says Warsame Egal, Mendy’s representative.
“If a club wants a player, they still start by asking the player if he wants to move, right? But I haven’t been contacted by anyone (from Celtic). So I think it’s obviously false.”
