Celtic Are Considering A Swoop For This Former West Ham Flop: Why Postecoglou Must Make The Call | OneFootball

If a report from the Swedish outlet Sportbladet is believed to be true, Celtic are likely to reignite interest in Sead Haksabanovic. The 23-year-old Montenegro international was offered to the Hoops earlier this window. Although they made no move back then, the wide attacker remains on their radar, as claimed by the Record Sport.

The Rubin Kazan winger is currently training alone amid uncertainties over his future. FIFA allowed European players to leave Russia in the wake of the Russia-Ukraine war and Haksabanovic, despite being contracted until the summer of 2026, joined Djurgården on loan back in March for the remainder of the 2021-22 term. The Red-Greens would let their £6m-rated star part ways in a cut-price deal if an offer is tabled and Celtic, still in the market for further reinforcements, should grab this opportunity.

The former Sweden youth international switched his allegiance to Montenegro back in 2017 and has so far featured 18 times for them at the senior level. He progressed through the academy ranks of Halmstads BK before breaking into their first-team squad at the age of 15.

Sead Hakšabanović

West Ham United roped him in two years later, but the spell did not work out with just a couple of appearances prior to leaving for Málaga on loan. The lack of minutes in Spain saw him heading back to Allsvenskan with Norrköping. There he resurrected his career and the Swedish outfit tied him down on permanent terms.

Why Celtic Should Secure His Services

After a blistering spell in Sweden, Haksabanovic completed a transfer to Kazan last summer. Although he only fired in once and registered 4 assists in 20 league outings, the work rate and flexibility earned him a starting status week in week out. Predominantly a left-sided attacker, the youngster has also exhibited his mastery as a ‘number 10’. He is capable of slotting in down the right as well as central midfield depicting his versatility across the pitch.

Celtic, on the other hand, are blessed to have an array of high-flying attackers. Kyogo Furuhashi and Georgios Giakoumakis complement each other high up the pitch, but the other centre-forward Daizen Maeda is preferred from the left for his high work ethic. Filipe Jota is deployed from the right, however, the gaffer Ange Postecoglou no more fancies Mikey Johnston as a regular option. While the likes of James Forrest and Liel Abada should keep on challenging the first-team stars, Haksabanovic is a quality alternative for the outcast Scotsman in the long run.