Report outlines Celtic's massive £35m Ajer demand; Newcastle to make insulting offer

By David Walton

March 27, 2021

A report from the Daily Mail has explained Celtic’s huge valuation for Norwegian international Kristoffer Ajer.

The big centre-back is entering the final 12 months of his contract. However, Celtic appear intent on ensuring that won’t affect his value as we continue to look for top dollar.

The Daily Mail believes that the Bhoys want as much as £35million for Ajer’s signature. Meanwhile, Newcastle United are looking to make an insulting opening offer of £8m.

Despite the fact Toon boss Steve Bruce is fighting for his future, this apparently won’t affect any transfer moves. The Mail claims that a move for Ajer is still doable despite the growing pressure on the Newcastle manager.

However, at the same time, Newcastle sit 17th in the Premier League and just two points above the drop zone. The report states that in order for them to have any chance of bagging Ajer, they’ll have to remain in the Premier League.

The days of lowballing Celtic are over; if Ajer to Newcastle happens then it’ll be for a big-money fee

When you look at Kris Ajer’s CV as a footballer, the prospect of only bagging £8m for him is a sheer insult. A slap in the fact to how much Celtic have developed him and nothing but sheer opportunism.

Sure, it’s not as if we haven’t lowballed clubs in Scotland before for their players (John McGinn being a prime example). But this simply isn’t something we should entertain.

Then again, the idea of wanting £35m for him is also far too ambitious. We’re talking about a player who will be into the final year of his contract and being urged to move by his international management staff [VG]. Celtic will be under pressure to sell, and all of this unfortunately affects the valuation.

Celtic’s Kristoffer Ajer wheels away in celebration vs Hearts (Photo by Rob Casey/SNS Group via Getty Images)

But we’re also talking about a centre-back who’s become an experienced international. A centre-back who’s been a key part of the quadruple treble success. One of the best young prospects coming out of Norwegian football at the moment. So that also has to be remembered when we sell.

Personally, I believe a fee between £15m-£20m would do it for Celtic. That would be a reasonable sum when you consider all of the factors involved at present.

We’ll see what happens in the coming weeks. But if Newcastle think £8m is anywhere near enough, they’re living in the past.

In other news, we discuss why Josh Doig is a must this summer after a crucial 2018 lesson.