---
title: "Newcastle plotting swoop for Celtic defender"
canonical: "https://readnewcastle.com/2017/06/15/newcastle-plotting-swoop-celtic-defender/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Luke Osman"
section: "Feature Writers"
published: "2017-06-15T19:54:06Z"
modified: "2017-06-15T19:54:06Z"
---

# Newcastle plotting swoop for Celtic defender

Newcastle are reportedly lining up an £8m move to land Celtic defender Jozo Simunovic this summer.

According to a report from the [Daily Mail](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4608548/Newcastle-Huddersfield-keen-8m-Simunovic.html) this evening, the Magpies are ready to go toe to toe with Huddersfield, who will join Newcastle in the top flight next season, for his signature.

Simunovic has enjoyed a strong season in Scotland with Celtic and helped them to secure their respective double.

![Ian MacNicol/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readnewcastle.com/readnewcastle/sites/20/2017/06/652397426.jpg)

Speculation has been surrounding the centre back in the last few months and if Simunovic does choose to depart Celtic Park this summer, he most certainly won’t be short of potential suitors.

However, if Newcastle are to land the Croatia Under-21 international, they will need to fend off competition from several clubs.

It’s stated that the Magpies, along with Huddersfield of course, are set to be rivalled by Burnley in their chase to sign Simunovic. Spartak Moscow out in Russia are also cited with interest.

Rafa Benitez appears to be keen on landing a central defender this summer, and Simunovic could very well prove to be his man.