Fuming Ajer tipped to quit Celtic 'soon' after new bid submitted - Scottish expert
Alan Hutton has tipped Kristoffer Ajer to leave Celtic “sooner rather than later” despite an inflated price tag.
The former Scotland defender, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, admitted he sympathised with the 23-year-old after the Hoops moved the goalposts over a potential sale.
As revealed by Football Insider on Tuesday (July 13th), Ajer was left fuming after Celtic upped their asking price from £15million to £20million.
Brentford had an initial bid of £12million plus £3million in add-ons rejected by the Hoops.
This site revealed on Wednesday (July 14th) the Bees are set to return with a new offer that will include a higher guaranteed payment.
Ajer only has one year left on his contract at Parkhead and has made clear he wants to leave.
Hutton predicted a deal would be forthcoming and insisted £15million should not be scoffed at by Celtic.
“I understand why Kristoffer Ajer is so annoyed,” Hutton told Football Insider’s Russell Edge.
“If a fee is set and then all of a sudden it moves, it’s a difficult situation to be in.
“My overall thinking of the whole thing is he’s desperate to go. He doesn’t want to stay at Celtic, from my point of view.
“Of course, Celtic want as much money as you can. That’s normal. That’s the business side of it.
“But if you’ve agreed a fee, the player wants to leave, it’s a lot of money we’re talking.
“Even if it’s £12-15million, if you can reinvest that in the squad, which they need to, that’s what’s more important.
“You get the player off the wages as well. I think it’s a deal that will get done eventually.
“Maybe they’re just trying to squeeze an extra couple of million out of Norwich or whoever it might be.
“I do think this is a transfer that will go through sooner rather than later.”
Ajer played 46 times across all competitions for Celtic during the disappointing 2020/21 campaign.
The 23-cap Norway international has a total of 176 appearances to his name for the Bhoys.
He has won three league titles, two Scottish Cups and the League Cups during his time at Parkhead.
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