Dinamo Zagreb manager Zoran Mamic has confirmed that his club have knocked back an offer from Celtic for defender Jozo Simunovic.
The Hoops have been keen on the purchase of the Dinamo Zagreb starlet, but they are falling short of the asking price demanded by the Croatian club.
Virgil van Dijk’s future at Celtic Park has been a source of constant speculation as Southampton keep up their chase for the Dutchman; and the reigning Scottish champions see Simunovic as a potential replacement.
It is likely that the Bhoys may be willing to sell centre-back Van Dijk after the conclusion of their two-legged Champions League playoff fixture against Swedish club Malmo.
Meanwhile, Dinamo Zagreb’s manager Mamic, who is busy preparing his side to play Albanian club Skenderbeu Korce tonight in a Champions League playoff match tonight, has confirmed an offer from Celtic has been refused.
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“Yes. Yesterday we refused the offer [from Celtic for Simunovic]”, he was quoted as saying by Croatian broadcaster 24 Sata.
Simunovic is a product of Dinamo Zagreb’s youth academy and has gone on to play 73 times for the club’s first team.
The 21-year-old has also earned caps for the Croatia’s youth sides although he is yet to make his senior national debut.
