Celtic have been linked (Football Scotland) with a move for Toulouse’s defender Christopher Jullien. Reports even state that the defender had a tour of Celtic’s facilities. The defender is likely to cost around €10m. However, one report from France’s Toulouse-focused website Les Violets, suggests that the defender moving to Glasgow is unimaginable and he is expected to receive offers from England and Spain.
Celta Vigo are one of the clubs whose interest for this 6ft5 towering defender is known. This should come as a blow to the Hoops in their pursuit of finding a replacement for Dedryck Boyata as the Scottish giants might not be able to compete with English and Spanish top flight outfits.
Nevertheless, Celtic should persist and see if they could strike a deal with Jullien as they desperately need to add centre back options for the next season.
Why Celtic need defenders?
The club have already lost the services of Dedryck Boyata. Filip Benkovic is set to go back to Leicester City. Brendan Rodgers has indicated that he could send the Croatian back again on loan, but that isn’t a certainty just yet.
Jack Hendry looks miles away from establishing himself into the first team. We feel that Celtic should send him on loan to get some games under his belt. That would leave the club with only two plausible centre back options in the form of Jozo Simunovic and Kristoffer Ajer.
Will Jullien be a good bet?
The 26-year-old played regularly in the Ligue 1 last season. The defender still has two years left on his contract, so Celtic aren’t going to get him for cheap. The defender has that physical side to his game which is often necessary to thrive in the Premiership. Strikers won’t find him easy to go past or outmuscle him.
Given his height, he should be strong in the air as well. To go with his well rounded defensive abilities, Jullien has the composure to play out from the back, and at 26, he could be a long term option for Celtic as he is currently at the peak of his power right now.
Can Celtic sign him?
The reports from France makes it looks like it’s going to be tough for Celtic to lure the defender. However, at Celtic, he can get a chance to win trophies and compete in top European competitions. So that is something which goes their way, and Lennon would hope that does the trick.
