Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer will ‘end up at Newcastle United’ if he is going to leave the Scottish Premiership giants during the summer transfer window, former Norway international Vidar Riseth told the Daily Record.
With all due respect to Steve Bruce’s side, reports suggesting that Ajer is bound for Tyneside is a reflection of just how disappointing the last 12 months have been for the talented centre-back.
This time last year, the rangy Scandinavian was being linked with a £25 million move to AC Milan.
With his contract running down and following an absolute write-off of a season in Glasgow, Ajer’s price-tag has fallen to just £8 million with a water-treading Newcastle side, rather than seven-time European champions Milan, now his most likely destination.
The Mail (4 May, page 87) reports that Lee Clark’s ‘outstanding’ former Kilmarnock loanee has his heart set on St James’.
“I think he’ll end up at Newcastle if he wants to leave,” said Riseth, who played over 50 games for Celtic from 1998 to 2000.
“I’ve spoken with him many times and he likes Celtic.
“I also know the club is working to keep him. But if he is going to leave I would imagine it would be to Newcastle.”
Is this a little nugget of tasty insider knowledge? Or merely just the opinion of a man who knows Ajer better than most?
Either way, Newcastle certainly appears to be the most likely destination for Ajer at this stage, though they will have to raise their initial £8 million bid for a man valued closer to £12 million.
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