Zenit St Petersburg have emerged as a potential suitor for Celtic’s Kris Ajer. The 23-year-old has been linked with moves to the Premier League and the Bundesliga as he eyes his next step as he has just one year remaining on his deal at Celtic.
Russian outlet Eurostavka are reporting that the Norwegian central defender is on Zenit’s transfer wish-list ahead of the summer window. The player is yet to speak to Ange Postecoglou, the club’s new manager, but has made his intentions to leave the club clear.
Celtic rejected two bids of £10m from Norwich and Bayer Leverkusen as the club’s valuation was not met; however, it is widely expected that he will leave in the summer with the new manager eyeing Mario Vuskovic amongst others ahead of a summer rebuild. It will probably take about £12.5m to get Ajer but the club will want to maximise their value ahead of the rebuild.
Ajer joined Celtic from IK Start in 2016 for £500,000 as a midfielder; however, Brendan Rodgers retrained the youngster as a central defender and he went out on loan to prove his worth. He has enjoyed great success in the time that he has had at the club, being a pivotal part of the Quadruple Treble, even scoring the goal that sealed it against Hearts.
