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Report: Celtic could offer surprise part-exchange deal in bid to land Jonny Hayes

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers celebrates winning the Scottish Cup Final with the trophy (Reuters)
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Celtic are reportedly keen on Aberdeen winger Jonny Hayes – and could offer Ryan Christie to land his signature.

General view inside Celtic ParkGeneral view inside Celtic Park

According to The Scottish Sun, Celtic are keen on signing Aberdeen winger Jonny Hayes, and could offer playmaker Ryan Christie in order to seal the deal.

Celtic beat Aberdeen 2-1 in the Scottish Cup final on Saturday afternoon to clinch an unbeaten domestic treble, with Stuart Armstrong and Tom Rogic finding the net for the Bhoys.

Aberdeen's Jonathan Hayes in action with Celtic's Patrick RobertsAberdeen’s Jonny Hayes in action with Celtic’s Patrick Roberts

Aberdeen’s opener came from winger Jonny Hayes, and it seems that the Irishman could be lining up in a Celtic shirt next season, if Brendan Rodgers gets his way.

The Scottish Sun report that Celtic want to bring Hayes to Glasgow this summer, and the Bhoys could offer up playmaker Ryan Christie in a part-exchange deal.

Celtic's Ryan ChristieCeltic’s Ryan Christie

Rodgers recruited Hayes at Reading when the winger was just 16, and after a stellar season in which he hit nine goals and 19 assists in the Scottish Premiership, he seems to have caught Rodgers’ eye again.

The 29-year-old would offer quality out wide, but with Aberdeen no doubt reluctant to let the Irishman leave this summer, Celtic may have to make them an offer they can’t refuse.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers celebrates winning the Scottish Cup Final with the trophyCeltic manager Brendan Rodgers

It’s suggested that Celtic could offer playmaker Ryan Christie – who has spent the season half of the season out on loan at Aberdeen – in a part-exchange deal, though letting a 22-year-old talent leave to get a winger who turns 30 in July seems peculiar.

Celtic would be better off suggesting fellow winger Gary Mackay-Steven in a deal for Hayes, or simply let Christie stay at Pittodrie on loan rather than letting him leave for good, as he still has potential to be a real star, whilst Hayes appears to be more of a short-term option for Rodgers and Celtic.

Would you like to see Celtic sign Hayes?