SOUTHAMPTON have emerged as contenders for the signature of Norwegian defender Kris Ajer. The Daily Record are reporting that the Saints are willing to pay up to £20m to prise away one of the club’s prized assets. Celtic would need to get a number of replacements in place as Neil Lennon’s backline already looks quite thin.
Ajer joined Celtic from IK Start in 2016 for £500,000 as a midfielder; however, Brendan Rodgers retrained the youngster as a central defender. The Norwegian became a first team regular striking up a partnership with Dedryck Boyata and impressing in the centre of defence.
Ajer had struck up a formidable partnership with Christopher Jullien at the heart of the Celtic defence before Neil Lennon opted for a 3-5-2 in the second half of the season. The Norwegian has made 49 appearances in all competitions for the Scottish Champions as they won (at least) a double.
Following the Champions League exit to Hungarian side Ferencvaros, it was reported that Ajer would be keen to use the Euro defeat to force an exit from the club. Ajer will no doubt have seen the exits of Stuart Armstrong, Kieran Tierney and Virgil Van Dijk to the Premier League and fancy his own chances in England.
