Celtic told title-winning ace could fetch ‘£50m’ amid European interest
Celtic have been urged to stand firm in their quest to retain a defensive ace, being told “that kind of quality comes at a cost.”
The Hoops won their ninth consecutive SPL title last month after Scottish authorities ruled the season would end prematurely.
The 2019-20 season was hard fought, with a reinvigorated Rangers side providing a sterner test than in most recent years.
One of Celtic’s standouts during the campaign was giant centre-back Kristoffer Ajer.
Standing at a whopping six-foot-six, the Norway captain went from strength to strength in another impressive campaign.
Ajer’s exploits had previously attracted the attentions of Spanish powerhouse Atletico Madrid. While more recent reports have pointed to interest from AC Milan.
Celtic have shown they are a club willing to sell for the right price, but former defender, Vidar Riseth, believes that price should be higher than you might think.
The Norwegian is reportedly close friends with Ajer, and spoke to The Daily Record regarding the financials of Ajer’s future.
“Kris is a modern centre-back, he’s young and has a lot of potential,” said Riseth (via The Scottish Herald).
“The money clubs will pay for these kinds of players is crazy right now.
“We are talking £50m and more now in that transfer market.
“When the time comes for Kris to go, I think Celtic will be able to demand £20m – maybe even £30m. That’s the level we are talking about now.
“Kris is still only 22 and already has a lot of experience. He has played in Europe and he has been captain of Norway. That kind of quality comes at a cost.
“We will see but I believe he will stay at Celtic.”
Meanwhile, ex-Celtic boss and current Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers has sent Chelsea a message over the future of Ben Chilwell.
Rodgers has enjoyed a superb season with The Foxes, and hopes are high of securing a surprise Champions League place.
One player who has excelled is Chilwell, and the left-back is reportedly on Roman Abramovich’s shopping list.