Motherwell’s 26-year-old left-footed winger Elijah Just is the subject of a summer transfer tug-of-war between Swansea City and Celtic. Both clubs are tracking the Kiwi international ahead of the 2026/27 campaign, with Swansea’s Championship rivals already closing in on Fir Park.
Who wants Elijah Just?
Swansea City have joined Celtic in the race for Motherwell’s inverted right winger. The Swans face competition from the Glasgow giants, who are also monitoring the 26-year-old’s situation. Head coach Vitor Matos is reshaping his squad for the new Championship season and has already added Stephen Welsh and Moussa Yeo, with more incomings expected.
Why is the Motherwell winger a target?
Just’s contract at Fir Park runs until June 2027, but Motherwell hold a 12-month option. That means the Steelmen aren’t under pressure to sell this window if they don’t want to. The 26-year-old left-footer has already drawn wider transfer interest after his World Cup performances for New Zealand, which included seven goals and eight assists in 43 appearances for Motherwell last season.
What would Just offer Swansea?
Swansea’s wide options have lacked an inverted threat from the right-someone who can cut inside onto a stronger foot and shoot or thread a pass. Just, a left-footer who drifts infield from the right flank, would give Matos a different profile to rotate with the club’s more traditional wide players. His end product last season suggests he could contribute directly to the goal tally rather than just service.
What’s the risk for the Swans?
They must weigh whether Just can adapt to the physicality of the Championship after a season in the technically-focused Scottish Premiership. They’ll also need to check his release clause situation against Celtic’s interest.
Motherwell sit fourth in the Premiership with 54 points from 33 games and 16 points behind league leaders Heart Of Midlothian. Their last result was a 4-0 loss to Aarhus on 2026-07-05, and their recent form reads LWWLL over the last five matches.
