A flurry of bids have come in for Celtic’s biggest asset and star defender Kristoffer Ajer of late – yet, despite the admittedly decent financial package that has been put to the Celtic hierarchy, the bids given for the Norwegian have been turned down – much to the dismay of Ajer himself.
Bids of £12million from Norwich and Bayer Leverkusen were turned down for the 6’5 centre-back; which with Celtic’s asking price being £15million, was more than acceptable given the Hoops’ reluctancy to sell their star player. However, after recently promoted English Premier League side Brentford bid the required fee of £15million touted by Celtic to his agent, it seemed nailed on that Celtic would accept the bid for the former Start player – before a swift U-turn annulled the decision.
Football Insider have reported that given the promises by Celtic made towards Ajer, the Norwegian is appalled with the decision to rob him of his dream move to London, the Premier League and the chance to play some of the world’s best sides – despite robbing him of guaranteed Champions League football.
It remains to be seen whether Ajer will even move from Glasgow or hand a transfer request in following his betrayal, but the consensus amongst various Celtic fans is that the club should take the money – they acknowledge that Ajer is one of, if not their best player, but £15million for a player whose contract expires in less than 12 months is a substantial fee; one which will keep the club financially sound for quite a while following the pandemic.
Reports of Carl Starfelt being in advanced talks with Celtic given Ajer’s “inevitable” department were rife following Fabrizio Romano’s update on the Swedish centre-back; but given Celtic’s reluctancy to let Ajer leave, that has gone cold.
With Ajer being frozen out of a move, it may have already upset the dressing room morale that Ange Postecoglou has inherited. Celtic may want to look to resolve the situation before too long – financially or dynamically – before the situation is taken out of their hands and into the hands of Ajer and his agent. Obviously, it would be best if Ajer was to sign a new deal and stay, but that isn’t realistic. For me, the smartest thing to do would be to sell him and replace his spot with Starfelt – a bold move, but probably the wisest move possible at the moment…
Understand from sources close to Kristoffer Ajer that he is absolutely furious with the way Celtic management has dealt with his situation the last two months.
He feels there’s been broken promises, constantly moving goalposts and a lack of professionalism from club.
— TheCynicWolf (@TheCynicWolf) July 13, 2021
Brentford offered 12 million plus 3 million in add ons.
Take the money, think the Brentford offer was 12 million down and 3 million in add on, not too bad, wonder if Celtic want to keep him for the game next week and the return leg
The price is the price. Pay the piper or take a walk. Ajer has no right to be “incensed.” This is a non story.
And yet the price goes up a bit everytime a club meets the price.
Celtic are right to dig their heels in, its the board who run Celtic football club not the players or their agents.