Alex Jones 
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Celtic have reportedly set their price tag for any buyer interested in Kristoffer Ajer at £13 million this summer.
Earlier in June, the Norwegian international went public with his desire to leave Celtic, claiming a deal in this window would be an ideal compromise for all parties.
With Ajer entering the final 12 months of his Celtic deal, the centre-back can sign on a free transfer with any non-Scottish side from January in a pre-contract agreement.
Consequentially, the summer window represents the last chance for the Bhoys to raise funds from their Norwegian defensive asset.
According to reports from German publication Kicker, as shared by Celtic fan account Everything Celtic (@aboutceltic) on Twitter, Celtic will only deal at the £13 million price point.
The report separately cites Jeremie Frimpong’s exit to Bayer Leverkeusen as a deal that is anchoring the thinking of Parkhead chiefs.
Norwich City, Newcastle United and Bayer Leverkusen have all been credited with major interest whilst there is also interest from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig, albeit to a lesser extent.
According to GlasgowLive, Ajer is increasingly frustrated by Celtic officials’ reluctance to budge on their internal valuation of him and fears he could be priced out of a summer move.
Read Celtic Verdict
Cashing in on Ajer is essential, and some compromise clearly needs to be made.
Letting a key asset leave for free is a waste of resources, though there is some consolation for Celtic fans.
Given that Celtic are nearing a deal to bring 19-year-old Croatia under-21 international Mario Vuskovic to Parkhead, the defender’s arrival may ease Celtic’s hardball stance.
When a replacement is through the doors at Paradise, the added squad security from an arrival could be the impetus needed for a compromise with suitors.
Equally, Celtic are not short of suitors – raising funds through an Ajer sale could ultimately inject vital funds into Celtic’s war chest, paying for a replacement in the process.
