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that Zenit St. Petersburg have decided against making an offer for Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer this summer – because The Hoops’ asking price is too high.
Ajer, 21, has become one of the first names on the Celtic team sheet in recent matches after Brendan Rodgers made him one of his first signings from Norwegian side Start for a fee of just £500,000 ().
Fast forward three seasons and Ajer has broken into the Celtic side despite his young age, clocking up 89 appearances in total. He has even been linked with AC Milan in the past few months, as his rapid rise keeps on growing.
Zenit – who beat Celtic in the Europa League Round of 32 back in 2017-18 – were the lates club to be interested in signing Ajer, who is currently filling the void on the right side of defence under Neil Lennon.
However, they have decided against making a move for Ajer – deeming Celtic’s asking price as too expensive.
TBR’s view – Anything over £20m for Ajer is good Celtic business
Yes, Celtic have this reputation of being a club that sells, rather than keeping their up-and-coming talent. But to bring in the money required at Parkhead, the club must buy cheap and eventually sell for a much bigger price.
Victor Wanyama, Virgil van Dijk, Stuart Armstrong, Moussa Dembele, Kieran Tierney and even Fraser Forster – who has returned to Celtic on loan from Southampton – are all examples where Celtic have spent little for big gain.
Bought for just £500,000, £20million or above for Ajer is very, very good business.
