Diego Laxalt has turned down a summer move to Saudi Arabia and has instead confirmed his desire to remain at Celtic on a permanent deal, according to reports coming out of Italy.
Football Italia report that the AC Milan left-back, on loan at Celtic until the end of the season, has rejected an opportunity to move to AlHilal Saudi Club and prefers to remain at Celtic. The Italian site reports that Laxalt was offered a three year deal worth €3m a season by the Saudi side.
Laxalt has been battling with Scotland international Greg Taylor for the first pick left-back slot at Celtic with both players bing somewhat inconsistent. The Uruguayan defender though was given the nod at the weekend for Celtic’s biggest game of the season, the 1-0 defeat to theRangers at Ibrox.
#AlHilal have reportedly offered #ACMilan loanee Diego Laxalt a three-year deal worth €3m a season, but the player refused the offer and wants to stay at #Celtic. https://t.co/Gx0U8Tc9mp #SerieA #SPFL pic.twitter.com/TPcrisHp41
— footballitalia (@footballitalia) January 7, 2021
This news comes after Sky Sports reported earlier this week that AC Milan are looking at offloading Laxalt and are prepared to lower they expectations on transfer fee – to perhaps reach a level that would tempt Celtic.
On-loan Celtic left-back Diego Laxalt could be available on a cut-price deal in the summer.
There is no option-to-buy clause in his deal.
AC Milan valued him at £9m in October. But they want to offload him permanently in the summer and are open to lowering their price tag.
— Anthony Joseph (@AnthonyRJoseph) January 5, 2021
Sempre Milan reported that Technical Director Paolo Maldini wants £8m for the player but is open to discussion as they look to offload the former Genoa player. They also report that a deal could be dependent on Neil Lennon’s own future at Celtic. Albeit, they predict that the San Siro club would likely sell for around £4.5m.
