Newcastle United have made an enquiry to Celtic over a potential deal for defender Kristoffer Ajer.

That’s according to a report from CaughtOffside, who claim that the Hoops ‘are preparing for him to leave this summer’, eight worrying words which seem to imply a degree of certainty about his departure.

Ajer was first linked with a move to St James’ Park at the end of March, with the Daily Mail running a story suggesting the Magpies were readying an £8m bid.

The 23-year-old, valued at £3.6m by Transfermarkt, has just over 12 months left on his current Celtic deal, meaning this summer is indeed the time to cash in if he is not going to stay for the long-term.

Transfer Tavern take

Ajer, on £12,500-a-week, has been a great servant to the Hoops, making 173 appearances in total, scoring six times. He’s won eight major honours at Parkhead, but if a new Celtic deal is off the table, they simply must cash in and avoid losing such a quality young talent for nothing.

With just over a year remaining on his contract, the Hoops may have to accept a cut-price fee, as Ajer, should he not move on this summer, could seal a pre-contract agreement as early as January 2022, which would leave the Hoops empty-handed.

Norwich City have also been credited with an interest in the defender – whose former loan manager Lee Clark recently called ‘outstanding’ – so the Hoops may well be hoping for a bidding war between the Canaries and Newcastle to get the best possible deal.

In other news: Fresh DoF candiate emerges who Celtic fans may know well, find out more here.