This article is part of Football FanCast's Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news...
According to The Daily Record, Celtic are set to open talks with Kristoffer Ajer over a new deal.
What's the story?
Despite him being under contract until the end of the 2021/22 season, Neil Lennon wants to offer his Norwegian defender fresh terms.
The centre-back has been the subject of interest from Brendan Rodgers' Leicester City and European heavyweights AC Milan this summer, which has perhaps instigated the club's desire to extend his deal.
The Hoops are aware of the interest in their star but want him to be a mainstay in the side for years to come. The 21-year-old is one of the 'untouchables' in Lennon's squad.
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Having become one of the key players under Lennon, Ajer could demand a top wage at the club, particularly as they can't offer him Champions League football this season.
Get it done
The Celts boss is right about Ajer's importance to his side, the centre-back has so much potential and is presumably one of the first-choice pairing when fit, given his status as 'untouchable'.
It's a tricky time to be the club's defensive leader too. With so much change around him, there's the distinct possibility he could be the longest-serving player in the first-choice backline come September 2 and the closure of the transfer window.
That's providing he's still at the club. While the prospect of joining Rodgers in the Premier League is put back until January at least, the same can't be said for Milan. Their window is still open for a week so tying him down to new terms will hopefully put them off an expensive signing in the wake of being booted out of European football.
Keith from C'mon the Hoops throws back to Celtic legend Charlie Mulgrew in the video below...
A new contract would also give everyone at the club a much-needed boost. The defeat to Cluj has left the support upset and the sale of fan-favourite Kieran Tierney has left plenty dejected too, so tying down an exciting talent to a long-term deal would be a worthwhile PR exercise.
More important than appeasing the fans, giving Ajer a new contract would secure the Parkhead future of one of the most exciting young defenders in Europe.
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