Celtic have rejected a bid of around £12 million + £3 million in add-ons from Brentford for defender Kristoffer Ajer, reports The Athletic’s Kieran Devlin. He and Michael Bailey also report that Norwich City and Bayer Leverkusen each saw £10 million bids turned down previously.
Celtic Transfer News: Kristoffer Ajer Bid Rejected and French Interest
Ajer Unhappy After Bids Rejected
The rejection of bids from the Premier League newcomers and the Bundesliga side has left Ajer unhappy, according to The Athletic’s report. The Norweigan has been keen to leave the club for some time and there has been an agreement in place that he can go should an appropriate bid come in.
Celtic really only have this window left to get their money’s worth for Ajer as he has just one year left on his contract. The chance to play in the Premier League would be of interest to the 23-year-old, but it would mean passing up on European football, something that staying at Celtic and going to Bayer Leverkusen would both offer.
According to Norweigan publication TV2, Celtic are demanding around £20 million for Ajer, who may also be prepared to run down his contract and search for a new club next year as a free agent.
Other reports claim that Celtic have already started the process of bringing in Ajer’s replacement. Fabrizio Romano reported earlier this week that the club had put in a bid for Rubin Kazan’s Swedish centre-back Carl Starfelt, which was thought to be around £4.23 million.
Interest in Brandon Soppy
Celtic are also reported to be keen on signing left-back Brandon Soppy from Rennes. Fabrizio Romano says that they have already opened talks with the Ligue 1 club over a deal for the 19-year-old but that there are also a host of French teams in the race.
The teenager made his breakthrough into the side last season, making a total of nine appearances in Ligue 1, plus two in the Champions League and three in the UEFA Youth League.
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