Brentford win race for Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer

Brentford have won the race for Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer, 90min understands.

The 23-year-old central defender has been with the Glasgow giants since 2016 and has played nearly 200 games for the club.

However, Ajer made it clear to Celtic earlier this summer that he wanted to quit Parkhead. With just 12 months left on his current deal, Ajer felt now was the right time to move on.

Clubs from Italy and Germany were keen on acquiring the player, but he told his representatives early on that his preference was to play in the Premier League.

Brentford have now sealed a deal that could be worth up to £14m for the highly-regarded Norwegian.

The newly promoted Premier League side held off strong opposition to land the player with Norwich, Brighton and Newcastle all speaking with Celtic this summer.

A source close to Celtic confirmed to 90min that the deal was all but agreed with Brentford and that they believed all parties were happy.

Brendan Rodgers managed Kristoffer Ajer at Celtic | Pool/Getty Images

Leicester City had previously talked with Celtic about Ajer, with Brendan Rodgers - the man who converted him from a holding midfielder in a centre-half - a huge fan, though they instead moved for Frenchman Wesley Fofana.

Ajer is now set for a medical in west London before becoming Brentford's record signing.


Source : 90min