While speaking to a Norwegian press conference (as quoted by Sky Sports), Celtic star Kristoffer Ajer has finally opened up on his future amid rumours of a potential summer exit. The defender is keen on a new challenge elsewhere and has decided not to extend his contract beyond next summer.
Although the 23-year-old won’t force an exit, the Hoops should close this chapter and move on in order to make some monetary profit over losing him for free next year.
“I will adhere to that and stay loyal to the club, but in order for both me and the club to have the best possible starting point (for negotiations) it is probably for the best that something should happen this year.”
The player makes his stance clear for the first time, thereby refuelling the ongoing speculation over his Parkhead future.
Ajer was on AC Milan’s radar for a while, but the Rossoneri have shifted their focus on Fikayo Tomori who enjoyed an impressive loan stint with the Red and Blacks. They are preparing an offer to tie down the Chelsea youngster on a permanent deal and the Norway international might end up in Premier League or Bundesliga amid interest from Newcastle United and Bayer Leverkusen.
Time To Move On
Despite starting his career as a midfielder, Ajer was deployed as a centre-back by then Hoops chief Brendan Rodgers. He was an instant success in the defensive third and went on to become an integral part of their historic ‘treble’ triumph.
At 6 ft 6 in, the young Scandinavian is hailed for his aerial supremacy, physicality, calmness on the ball, ability to play it out from the back as well as versatility across the backline. He loves to carry the ball forward from the deep and distribute it with sheer perfection. Also, his ability to retain possession and dribble past the opponents exhibit the traits of modern-day football.
The Catastrophe continues at Celtic Park as they are yet to find a successor of Neil Lennon who was relieved of his managerial duties earlier this year. Shane Duffy’s loan move from Brighton & Hove turned out to be a nightmare, whereas a season-ending knee injury to Christopher Jullien led to further chaos midway through the previous term.
Stephen Welsh’s rise at the heart of defence has to be the only shining light and Celtic, thus, must find a suitor for Kristoffer Ajer soon before reconstructing the backline ahead of the upcoming campaign.
