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Read MoreRomano: Celtic have 'stepped down' from Carl Starfelt talks after €5m bid
Celtic have ‘stepped down’ from transfer talks with Rubin Kazan for defender Carl Starfelt, prominent journalist Fabrizio Romano has reported tonight.
Romano believes Celtic lodged a €5m (£4.27m) bid for the player earlier this week.
However, talks are no longer progressing and Celtic have withdrawn.
One of the reasons is with regards to Kristoffer Ajer, who could be staying at the Bhoys after all this summer, as we discussed earlier.
This will be a frustrating update for those of you eager for Celtic to complete a bit of business.
However, it appears the club are intent on selling Ajer before bringing in another central defender.
With a high £20m valuation on the Norwegian’s shoulders, he could well end up seeing out the remainder of his contract at the club.
There are other priority positions Celtic need to fill, but the central defensive area is looking a little barren ahead of the upcoming Champions League qualifier.
Ajer has yet to feature in pre-season, though is in the camp at Wales. Meanwhile, Christopher Jullien is still recovering from a long-term injury.
That leaves the inexperienced Stephen Welsh and other options such as Nir Bitton.
It’s not ideal, by any means, is it?
I’m growing increasingly concerned our transfer business isn’t quite going as smoothly as we’d all have hoped.
The club have to pull something out of the bag for the support soon.