Report: Celtic’s bid for £11m man fails; could make new offer if Hoops star leaves

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Celtic failed with a bid for the £11 million-rated Sampdoria defender Omar Colley but could return to the table if Kristoffer Ajer leaves the Scottish Premiership champions, according to SampNews24.

With just a fortnight remaining in the transfer window, Neil Lennon could be forgiven for counting down the days until October 5.

The Glasgow giants have managed to bat away interest in the likes of Odsonne Edouard, Callum McGregor, Olivier Ntcham and Ajer thus far, with each and every one of their key players still wearing green and white.

But, according to reports in Italy, they are still prepared for a worst-case scenario.

Norway international Ajer is perhaps the closest Celtic player to the exit.

And, with AC Milan still keen to reinforce at the back before the deadline, it makes sense for Celtic to draw up a contingency plan if a youngster who joined during Ronny Deila’s time in charge receives an offer he simply cannot refuse.

Sampdoria want £11 million for 6ft 3ins man mountain Colley; a fee that would require Celtic to break their transfer record.

The Hoops seen an opening bid rejected. But there is still a chance that the deal could be revisited, especially if Milan step up their pursuit of Ajer.

Gambia international Colley is not exactly a like-for-like replacement, however. More comfortable clearing his lines and putting his body on the line than he is driving through the midfield to start attacks of his own, Colley has more in common with Shane Duffy than Ajer.