Exclusive: Celtic submit new Albian Ajeti offer to fast-track permanent move
Celtic have submitted a new offer for West Ham striker Albian Ajeti to fast-track a permanent move, Football Insider has learned.
The Glasgow giants have been struggling to persuade the Switzerland international to join on a loan-to-buy deal despite agreeing terms with the Premier League club.
A Celtic source has told Football Insider that the club have tabled a new bid in which the loan would become permanent after a low number of stipulated appearances.
One suggestion is that Ajeti would be a full-time Bhoy after just 10 matches.
That is a far lower number than most loan-to-buy transfers, in which around 25 or 30 appearances over a single season is typical.
This demonstrates Celtic's willingness to get the striker on board following frustration over the last week.
The Hoops had agreed an initial loan with the obligation to become permanent for £5.5million.
But Ajeti is reluctant to quit a Premier League club and take what would be a pay cut to move to Celtic.
As revealed by Football Insider earlier this week, Hoops chiefs are now ready to offer the front man a higher wage if the initial loan move is then converted into a permanent switch.
West Ham are willing to sell Ajeti after a poor debut campaign following his £8.5m transfer from Basel last summer.
The 10-times Switzerland international has not started a single Premier League match all season and most of his 12 West Ham appearances have come as a substitute.
But he was prolific in his homeland, where he scored 43 times in 96 matches for Basel.