Why Celtic should hold on to Kristoffer Ajer despite claims of a summer exit
According to Daily Record, Celtic could witness central defender Kristoffer Ajer leave the club in the summer.
With Ajer still having two more years left in his Celtic contract, the hard blow comes in the form of his agent, who revealed his client’s unavailability by the end of the season.
Ajer’s agent Tore Pedersen recently came out saying,
“He will not extend his contract with Celtic and will leave this summer. There are several clubs who are interested, but I can’t go into their names.”
“There are many who have followed him for a long period. There are also clubs who would like to have him, but who cannot afford it. There is generally great interest in Kristoffer,” Pedersen said.
Back in October 2019, Daily Mail had claimed that Leicester City had scouted Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer and were planning to sign him in January. However, no deal materialised as the 21-year-old centre-back seemed adamant to extend his stay at Parkhead. But things seem to have taken a different turn now with Ajer’s representative refuting Ajer’s earlier stand.
Ajer, who joined Celtic from Norwegian outfit Start emerged as the Hoops key player under now Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers. The young Norwegian has been a mainstay in the Celtic defence ever since. He has been crucial at the back for the Celtic this season too, with the side currently leading the Scottish Premiership, conceding just 19 goals from 30 games.
The centre-back has played a total of 49 goals for Celtic already this season and has chipped in for his side with four goals and two assists respectively. Ajer, was also a vital member of the side that won the ‘Treble’ last season, making 45 appearances overall.
Though he is only 21 years old, Ajer is a regular within the side and is a two-time Scottish Champion (2017, 2018), Scottish Cup (2017, 2018) and Scottish League Cup (2017, 2018) winner.
Such feat at a young age speaks volumes about the youngster’s talent and potential, and it would be a blow for Celtic if he decides to leave the club this summer.
Read more:
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- Why Celtic should make a move for Jordon Ibe in the summer
- Why Celtic keeping hold of Odsonne Edouard is the right move
Verdict
Looking at the Scottish side’s excellent run of form in the past two seasons with young Ajer in the heart of their defence, losing him would mean a major setback in the coming days.
A part of the squad that conceded just 20 goals from 38 games last season, Ajer is indeed a vital cog of the current line-up. Hence, losing Ajer in the summer could have a serious effect on their next season’s performance until they find a viable replacement for him.
