Celtic are in no rush to sell Kristoffer Ajer and will be looking for a figure up to £20million for his services, the Daily Record reports.
The Record has stated that Ajer remains high on AC Milan’s wishlist as well as that of Leicester City. However, no bids for the Norwegian international’s services have come in.
The newspaper also believes that Celtic manager Neil Lennon would rather keep Ajer for the club’s 10-in-a-row push. Therefore, the club is not actively looking to sell the Parkhead regular.
Ajer has also been linked with a shock move to Liverpool this summer, but there has yet to be anything concrete on that front (Daily Star).
The arrival of Shane Duffy has thrown Ajer’s position into some doubt, with the former Start man now having a real battle on his hands to keep his place in the team.
Allowing Ajer to leave puts us in the same position again
It’s a positive to read that Celtic aren’t actively looking to let Ajer go. After signing up Duffy as well as failing to get into the Champions League this season, tension is high that there will be a sacrificial sale this summer.
However, if the Hoops were to allow the Norwegian to depart, it puts us in the exact same position again. Celtic would still be one centre-back down on what they had last summer.
Duffy was signed to replace Jozo Simunovic. He wasn’t signed just to replace a pending departure. This isn’t a season for down-sizing with 10-in-a-row on the line.
Granted, that’s not to say if Celtic’s asking price is met then Ajer can’t leave. We all accept that everyone here has their price, and that Duffy will almost certainly partner £7million man Christopher Jullien (Scottish Sun).
But the club shouldn’t be encouraging it. The last thing the supporters can be bothered with is watching the club scramble around for another new centre-back late on in the window, or perhaps even running out of time to bring one in.
Ajer, naturally a centre-back for the Hoops, has also featured in the past at right-back and started out as a midfielder. His versatility certainly makes him a more valuable asset.
Our squad, as things stand, is looking strong again. Another couple of signings at left-back and right-wing and we’ll be looking good. Selling our best players shouldn’t even come into the board’s thinking. Not this season.
In other news, the Parkhead board is looking to seal an exciting deal next summer despite a £10m valuation.
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