Celtic are looking to offload three high earning players before the end of the summer transfer window. Brendan Rodgers is in the process of reshaping his squad and expects there to be more arrivals before the end of the window.
However, according to Football Scotland, Celtic want to get Ismaila Soro, James McCarthy and Albian Ajeti off of the wage bill. The trio have no future with the Scottish Champions having been excluded from the pre-season camp in Portugal and Japan.
Photo Andrew Milligan
Soro is said to be nearing a move to Ligue 2 with Valenciennes. The Ivorian midfielder was a favourite for a brief spell in the COVID season but that perhaps says more about the season that the reported £2m signing.
The player has made 43 appearances since joining in January 2020 with 19 of these coming last season, Soro was often erratic in the centre of the midfield. With Callum McGregor, Odin Thiago Holm, Reo Hatate, Matt O’Riley and David Turnbull as well as the latest arrival of Busan I-Park midfielder Kwon Hyeok-kyu.
Celtic s James McCarthy gestures during the Europa League Group G soccer match between Real Betis and Celtic at Benito Villamarin stadium in Seville, Spain, Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021. AP Photo/Miguel Morenatti PUBLICATIONxINxGERxSUIxAUTxONLY Copyright: xMiguelxMorenattix 62463549
McCarthy arrived at Celtic as a free agent from Crystal Palace in 2021. The player signed a four-year deal, which raised eyebrows; however, he was coming in during a period of upheaval at the club and it was believed that he could potentially step into the shoes of Scott Brown. As it transpired, McCarthy found it challenging to get going. He contracted COVID-19, found himself injured and then found himself out of favour. While Callum McGregor was out, he enjoyed a brief spell in the team but always looked like he was getting up to speed. Two years later and twenty seven appearances later, it would be in everyone’s interests if the player were to be moved on.
Albian Ajeti of Celtic reacts during the Cinch Scottish Premiership match between Livingston FC and Celtic FC at The Toni Macaroni Arena on September 18, 2021. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
Ajeti was signed from David Moyes’ West Ham United in the summer of 2020 as Celtic favoured the Swiss striker over Ivan Toney. Over two seasons, Ajeti has made 48 appearances and found the net on just 9 occasions. With Kyogo and Giorgos Giakoumakis showing their best form in the 2021/22 season, Ajeti slipped out of the picture after Christmas due to an injury. A loan with the option to buy deal was struck in the summer of 2022 with Sturm Graz. The attacker failed to impress and returned to Celtic but was not involved with the pre-season plans under Rodgers. The player is now not willing to leave unless he receives all of his wages for his final year.
There are still weeks remaining and more business to do with incomings and outgoings to come.
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