Celtic transfers: One in, one out as business at Parkhead intensifies

Christopher Jullien is set to seal a move to Montpellier on loan, according to French media.

Celtic are on the brink of sealing the transfer of Sead Haksabanovic from Rubin Kazan, while their defender Christopher Jullien appears set to land a move back to France.

Manager Ange Postecoglou said in the wake of Celtic’s 2-0 win over Hearts on Sunday that a deal was close for Haksabanovic and it is understood that the 23-year-old is in Scotland putting the finishing touches to the move.

A Montenegrin internationalist, Haksabanovic is predominantly a winger, although he can also play in midfield and in the forward line.

Rubin Kazan signed Haksabanovic from Norrkoping last season for a fee believed to be in the region of £6million, but the situation in Russia owning to the state’s invasion of Ukraine has led to an exodus of foreign players from its top flight. With Rubin Kazan also needing to raise funds, Celtic are expected to land Haksabanovic on a cut-price deal.

Sead Haksabanovic is understood to be in Scotland putting the finishing touches to his Celtic move.

His arrival will swell Postecoglou’s options out wide, with Jota, Liel Abada, Daizen Maeda, James Forrest and Mikey Johnston already at the club.

While Haksabanovic will be coming through the entrance, Jullien’s exit is expected to be confirmed in the coming days, with a loan back to his homeland on the cards.

Respected French news outlet L'Equipe is reporting that the 29-year-old will arrive in France on Tuesday to complete a medical with Ligue 1 club Montpellier.

Jullien, a £7m signing from Toulouse in 2019, is out of the first-team picture under Postecoglou, having one played once for the Australian. He was expected to be loaned to Schalke in Germany last month, only for that deal to fall through at the last minute, and the centre-half will hope to get his future finally resolved.

Jullien was a regular starter for Celtic under Neil Lennon, but two serious injuries have put the brakes on his career in the east end of Glasgow. He now finds himself behind Carl Starfelt, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Stephen Welsh and Moritz Jenz in terms of centre-backs at Celtic.

Celtic have been active in this transfer window, confirming permanent deals for last season’s loanees Jota and Carter-Vickers as well as signing Benjamin Siegrist, Alexandro Bernabei, Aaron Mooy and the aforementioned Jenz.