Celtic are close to selling Kristoffer Ajer to Newcastle United, according to the Sunday Mirror [print edition, 30/05, p76].
The towering Norwegian has been linked with the Magpies all summer. However, with his current contract at Parkhead ready to run out in the summer, most Celtic supporters have come to terms with the idea he’ll beleaving.
However, bizarrely, the Sunday Mirror have reported that Ajer could be on the way for as little as £6million. We’re talking about Norwegian international Kristoffer Ajer. A player with Champions League, Europa League, title and cup-winning experience to his name. All at the age of 23 too.
This doesn’t feel quite right from a Celtic perspective. Whilst the Mirror claims that Ajer will be the first player in the door at Newcastle this summer, they should be expected to pay a lot less. The Daily Record reported last week that Newcastle were looking to bag him for £8m. However, it was stated then that Celtic wanted around double it for the centre-back.
Ajer has continued to be a key player for Celtic this season. Even in a season when most of his team-mates have been woeful, Ajer can hold his head up knowing he gave 100%.
Celtic should deem £6m an absolute insult for Kristoffer Ajer
It doesn’t matter if these players are into the final 12 months of their contracts. That only means that their valuations are slashed. It doesn’t mean that Celtic should be accepting daylight robbery and bowing down to any old offer.
You have to still have an understanding of your players’ worth. Sure, Ajer isn’t overwhelmingly loved by everyone in the Celtic support. That doesn’t mean he isn’t a vital player to this Celtic squad. He’s the best centre-back we’ve got and has proven to be a useful attacking tool at the same time.
£16m for Ajer would be about right given his situation. There is absolutely nothing that would make £6m or £8m work here. Or at least there shouldn’t be. It doesn’t matter about future sell-on fees or add-ons if certain criteria is met. Celtic have to look towards the here and now, and Ajer’s departure has to be seen as a chance to rake in some serious cash.
If Newcastle can’t stump it up, then too bad. They’re not entitled to get him just because they’ve made an approach and he’s into the final year of his contract. You could also even argue that Ajer can do better than the North East club too.
They’ve hardly been impressive this season. Given the likes of AC Milan and Leicester have been linked with him in the past, the Norwegian should be in no massive rush to jump at the first offer.
Not that the first offer appears to be anything serious if £6m is all they can muster up.
In other news, Celtic’s actions have put Ange Postecoglou under immediate and unnecessary pressure right away.
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