When Albian Ajeti signed for Celtic in what was a £4.5m deal back in the summer of 2020, hopes for the 24-year-old centre-forward were extremely high at Parkhead.

Indeed, then-Celtic manager Neil Lennon said of the Switzerland international upon his arrival: "He is a tremendous player with real quality. He's a really intelligent footballer - well balanced and a really good finisher."

However, over the £2.88m-rated forward's 20 Premiership appearances last time out, he bagged just six goals, registered one assist and created no big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of a mere 0.7 shot and making 0.6 key passes per game.

These returns saw the player who Scott Brown once dubbed "exceptional" earn a disappointing seasonal SofaScore match rating of just 6.85, ranking him as the Bhoys' joint 12th-worst performer in the top flight of Scottish football.

Things have not improved for the £18k-per-week striker over his seven league outings this season, with the 24-year-old scoring two goals, providing no assists and creating no big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 1.3 shots and making 0.4 key passes per game.

These metrics have seen the former West Ham United man average a SofaScore match rating of just 6.72, ranking him as Celtic's seventh-worst player in the division, leading to speculation that Ange Postecoglou could be willing to cash in on the centre-forward in the January transfer window.

And, with Celtic being heavily linked with a move for Yokohama F Marinos forward Daizen Maeda this winter, should the Hoops indeed be able to get a deal over the line for the £990k-rated striker, it could well spell the end for Ajeti's career at Parkhead.

Indeed, the 24-year-old who Kevin Muscat dubbed a "dream" was incredibly impressive over his 36 J League appearances this season, with the forward bagging a whopping 23 goals, registering three assists and creating four big chances for his teammates, as well as taking an average of 2.6 shots and making 0.9 key passes per game.

These returns saw the Japan international earn a seasonal SofaScore match rating of 7.09, ranking him as his club's joint sixth-best performer in the league.

As such, as long as Maeda can refind this form after his potential switch to Glasgow next month, there would not appear to be much need for Celtic to hang onto Ajeti any longer, as the Swiss striker simply does not appear to be up to the standard required for the Bhoys.

In other news: Forget Bitton: £15k-p/w Celtic dud who lost 80% duels cost Ange dearly vs St. Mirren