Kris Ajer is among four defenders linked with a move to Bayer Leverkusen with his departure from Celtic looking inevitable.
The defender has a year left to run on his contract and recently spoke to Norwegian media that it would be best for himself and Celtic if he left this summer for a transfer fee. The alternative would be departing on a Bosman next summer.
Norwich and Newcastle have been linked with an interest in Ajer but a move to the continent can’t be ruled out with Leverkusen signing Jeremie Frimpong from Celtic in January.
German internationalist Matthias Ginter of Borussia Monchengladbach appears to be Leverkusen’s first choice central defender but Ajer appears on the back up list.
Website Bull News reports:
Sport Bild goes on to list Bayer Leverkusen as a potential Bundesliga suitor for Ginter. Germany’s red company team still maintains sizable cash reserves from the transfers of Kai Havertz and Kevin Volland last Summer.
Moreover, the departures of Alexsandr Dragovic and the retirement of the Bender twins leave die Werkself with exigent needs in central defense. Jonathan Tah, Tin Jedvaj, and Wendell Borges are assumed to be on the way out.
Leverkusen have already been linked with Jeremiah St. Juste, Kristoffer Ajer, and Nico Schlotterbeck as part of their quest to shore up central defense.
Celtic signed Ajer from Start in 2016 with the Norwegian club having a sell-on clause in that transfer deal.
Brendan Rodgers converted the teenager from a midfielder into a central defender, after going on loan to Kilmarnock in January 2017 he returned to Celtic and made inroads towards the top team and was a first pick last season.
If Ajer is sold Celtic will be left with Stephen Welsh and Nir Bitton as central defenders with Chris Jullien recovering from knee surgery.