Report: Bayer Leverkusen had made pre-season plans for Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer

By Euan Davidson

July 16, 2021

Bayer Leverkusen thought they’d sealed a deal for Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer, according to a report in The Scottish Sun.

Ajer, who looks set to join Premier League outfit Brentford, has left the Bundesliga giants fuming by what seems to be a sudden change of heart. The Scottish Sun claim that Ajer had been included in pre-season plans. Instead, they’ve been left to rue Brentford stealing in for the Norwegian centre-back.

Leverkusen signed ex-Celtic defender Jeremie Frimpong in January [BBC]. Clearly impressed by the potential of Celtic’s 19-20 backline, they made enquiries for Ajer at the start of June, according to the Glasgow Times.

However, it’s well-run Brentford who seem to have a deal all but wrapped up. It’s expected that Ajer will seal his move to the Premier League later today [Sun].

The Bundesliga giants face losing defensive stalwart Jonathan Tah. Oddly, this is where Brendan Rodgers comes into the picture. According to the Telegraph, his Leicester City are interested in bringing the German international to the King Power Stadium.

Of course, that means Gerardo Seoane needs reinforcement in defence. Sadly for him, that won’t come in the form of Norwegian international Kristoffer Ajer.

Bayer Leverkusen could’ve been Ajer Leverkusen, but instead Brentford look set to nab Celtic man

It’s an interesting move, certainly. And it says a lot about the brand of the Premier League.

Brentford are about to embark on a top-flight campaign for the first time since post-WW2. Yet, they’re able to lure top talent. A very well-run club, who utilise excellent scouting and youth development, you can understand the appeal.

However, Bayer Leverkusen regularly compete in European football, and at the top end of the Bundesliga. It says a great deal about the money spent in English football, as much as it does about the attraction of another top-5 league.

There’s also Ajer’s personal ambitions to consider. If he fancied a move to England rather than Germany, so be it. However incongruous it may look from an outsider view, it’s a personal decision, ultimately.

In what can charitably be described as an “interesting” pre-season for Celtic, one of our star men reportedly reneging on a deal to join a Bundesliga outfit is a new wrinkle of intrigue.

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