One in, one out – Haksabanovic to join as Jullien nears Celtic exit

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 underceltic stood that the 23-year-old is in Scotland putting the finishing touches to the move.

A Montenegrin internationalist,haksabanovicispredominantly 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 £6 million, but the situation in Russia owing 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.

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 today for a medical at Ligue 1 club Montpellier.

Jullien, a £7m signing from Toulouse in 2019, is out of the first-team picture under Postecoglou. He was expected to be loaned to Schalke in Germany last month, only for that deal to fall through, and the centrehalf 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. He now finds himself behind Carl Starfelt, Cameron Cartervickers, 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.