According to latest reports, Crystal Palace have been made aware of a certain contract situation between Celtic and Stuart Armstrong. The 26-year-old has not agreed to an extension yet with just over 12 months left in his current deal. Roy Hodgson plans on making a swoop with a bid in the region of £4m.
The Bhoys have a fear of losing him for nothing next summer and might just be compelled to sell the midfielder if a deal is not struck ahead of the 2018/19 season. Brendan Rodgers has let it be known that Armstrong will not be allowed to run down his contract like last time before agreeing to a new one.
This could motivate Palace to push for a transfer this very summer with the odds higher in their favour. Prospects of Premier League football is bound to attract top names and Armstrong is not shy to show his ambitious side.
The Scotland international made his switch from Dundee United in January 2015 and ever since has picked up 3 Scottish Premiership titles, 2 Scottish Cups and 2 Scottish League Cups. He has close to 150 appearances for the Hoops in total, having featured in 41 games last term alone and being directly involved in 11 goals.
Armstrong is a cemented starter under Rodgers and has been key to the team’s recent success in the domestic stage. He and Scott Brown holds the fort from the central locations and makes the midfield tick with their composed abilities on the ball.
The Inverness-born player also made his senior international debut in March of last year and now has 6 caps in total. Armstrong’s showing earned ‘the best debut performance’ praise from the coach, Gordon Strachan at the time.
He is a prolific midfield talent who can run opposition players to the ground, as said by his national team coach. The Scotsman has the makes of a Premier League player and is at the right stage of his career to make that leap.
Not only will Palace guarantee a higher number in his weekly paychecks, the English game will provide a bigger spotlight and better teams to compete against. Who knows? Maybe impressing at Selhurst Park will be enough to open further steps in the player’s career ladder.
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If he does make the switch, Celtic will have a major loss at their hands. Oliver Ntcham has been impressive since his move to Glasgow but Armstrong brings a different dynamic to the Hoops midfield.
