Atletico impressed with Celtic ace, who has ditched agent

Atletico Madrid are interested in signing want-away Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer, claims a report.

Football Espana have revealed that Atleti scouts “have been impressed by the dominant style of Ajer” but their priority this summer is to add goals to the team.

Ajer is entering the final two years of his contract and could well move on this summer with AC Milan interested, while Real Madrid are also on the list of teams keeping an eye on him, according to Mundo Deportivo.

Ajer has also changed from his long-term agent Tore Pedersen. The pair had been together for the last seven years, but Ajer has opted not to renew their deal, with Dutch-based SEG agency set to take him on board.

Pedersen told the Scottish Sun: “My contract with Kris expired this May.

“Why wasn’t it renewed? Kris must answer about his choice, if he wants to.

“Did I want to renew? Yes of course. Kris is a brilliant guy, and a very good central defender.”

Pedersen incurred the wrath of Hoops boss Neil Lennon earlier this year when he said Ajer would leave Parkhead this summer.

“He does not extend with Celtic and disappears in the summer,” Pedersen was quoted as saying.

Lennon was far from happy with the comments back in March.

“I’ve heard about the comments and I’m aware of it,” Lennon said.

“At the end of the day the club will decide when players go, not agents or players themselves.

“Kris has never made any indication he wants to leave. He’s happy here, he has been playing very well, he has been very consistent.

“I think the agent has shot himself in the foot there. We have Kris tied down to a long-term contract so we’ll decide and not anyone else.

“There hasn’t been any interest in him that I’m aware of, certainly no one has called me about him.”

The 22-year-old Norwegian signed a contract extension with the Bhoys back in May 2018, with Ajer’s current deal running out in 2022.