Chelsea urged to sign Celtic's Josip Juranovic - 'it will be a simple deal', says ex-England defender

Glen Johnson believes his former club Chelsea should sign Celtic defender Josip Juranovic next month – but said that he would not be an automatic starter for the English Premier League outfit.

Celtic right-back Josip Juranovic is wanted by a number of clubs.

Juranovic is expected to leave Celtic this January after an impressive World Cup with Croatia. Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Real Sociedad and Leicester City are reported to be interested in landing the 27-year-old, who likely to be valued at £20million by the defending cinch Premiership champions and Johnson, capped 54 times by England, says he would be an ideal fit for Chelsea and good back-up for Reece James.

“Josip Juranovic looks very quick and very efficient going forward,” Johnson said in his Midnite blog. “He had a great tournament for Croatia and has performed well at Celtic. Reece James' injury is not that bad for Juranovic to replace him. Juranovic would be a great back-up to Reece James, and coming from Celtic, he won't be a £80 million player, it will be a simple deal. But I can't see him replacing James.”

Celtic have already prepared for the prospect of Juranovic leaving the club next month with the signing of Alistair Johnston from Montreal CF for £3million.