Reported top NUFC target Kristoffer Ajer has not featured in either of Celtic’s first two pre-season matches in Wales. On Wednesday, The Bhoys downed Sheffield Wednesday 3-1 in new manager Ange Postecoglou’s first match in charge.
Postecoglou fielded a young squad so Ajer’s exclusion wasn’t too eye-opening. However, in yesterday’s 2-1 win over Charlton, the Norwegian was again not in the squad. Even midfielder Olivier Ntcham, who is reportedly on the outs at Celtic Park, got a good run out and played well.
What this means is anyone’s guess. But it’s very clear that Celtic and Ajer are at odds over his desire to depart Parkhead this summer. The 23-year-old’s stance is crystal clear as he recently stated the following:
“The promise was that I would be allowed to leave last summer, but then we agreed that I would stay at the club to try to win 10 in a row.
“That was important for the club, but unfortunately we did not make it.
“Now we have come to the point that I will leave, and I really expect the club to keep its word.
“I hope it settles down as soon as possible. It will be in the best interests of all parties.
“I do not think this comes as a surprise to Celtic. They know what I want. In addition, I think it is important for them to sell me with a view to rebuilding the club.
“I think the club is grateful to be in a situation where they can get money for me.”
These comments arrived after a reported bid of £10m from Norwich was rejected. Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen also had a similar bid rebuffed by Celtic.
Norwich have since moved on to other targets as they will not offer more than £10m for the defender, who is in the final year of his contract. While Newcastle have yet to dip their toes in the water for Ajer, they were hoping to land him early this summer for around £6-8m.
So Newcastle may have caught on early that Celtic were not going to be willing participants in selling their defender for a bargain fee. If a report from The Daily Record is accurate, then it appears likely no club will land Ajer this summer.
According to the report, Brentford are the latest club to be turned away by Celtic. The newly-promoted Bees also tried to land Ajer with a bid of £10m which was rejected. The new claim is Celtic want double that amount for the 6’6″ center-back.
If Celtic hold firm on an asking price of £20m for their defender, they will end up losing him for nothing next summer. As for Newcastle, if Tottenham’s Cameron Carter-Vickers is available for £5m, then it seems like a no-brainer to try and bring him in.
Graeme Jones worked with Carter-Vickers at Bournemouth last season. He reportedly has given rave reviews on the 23-year-old. So we’ll see if there’s any movement on this front in the coming weeks.
The pressing business on this Sunday is the massive final at Wembley. Best of luck to England tonight!
Here are some interesting predictions from some of our Magpies on the England and Italy European Championship final. I especially like Joelinton’s comments as he mentions Graeme Jones.
??????? #EURO2020 ??
Predictions for this evening, lads? ? pic.twitter.com/zp096yR2cA
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) July 11, 2021
183 comments so far
Jail for Ashley
Jul 11, 2021 at 4:17 PM
Comment #121The Tinman,
I got more overall points than the season before but had a 200K rank down from 83K the season before.
TheTinman
Jul 11, 2021 at 4:17 PM
Comment #122It’s a pain in the a$$ that you can’t go back and see league history etc easily. But I suppose the game is so large and popular it would be a huge amount of data for them to hold
TheTinman
Jul 11, 2021 at 4:19 PM
Comment #123Jail that’s two good scores for first two seasons definitely. I hope to make it a hat trick of top 10k finishes this year.
I’ve just random generated my squad for now. Won’t look at players or prices till August and most transfer business is done so I don’t get attached to anyone!
TheTinman
Jul 11, 2021 at 4:25 PM
Comment #124Skysports saying 5 at the back tonight. Not what I would have went for, but we have to trust in Southgate at this stage.
Enjoy the match everyone.
Come on England
JohnJ
Jul 11, 2021 at 4:25 PM
Comment #125I’m In ( must be mad though )
Rotonda heights
Jul 11, 2021 at 4:32 PM
Comment #126Munster
The whole irony of Amanda brokering a Qatari 3 billion pound bail out to a hoffman run Barclays.
Maybe if we can’t beat them maybe we should join them!! Qatar just seems to have a global footballing monopoly.
Aces-of-Eights
Jul 11, 2021 at 4:38 PM
Comment #127Haha funny channel. Itv have the movie Italian Job on before final
Aces-of-Eights
Jul 11, 2021 at 4:42 PM
Comment #128Qatar beat Saudi to most of European football. In my opinion only serie a is open to Saudis
Uncertain Toon/World
Jul 11, 2021 at 4:43 PM
Comment #129For the folk that prefer the colder temperatures, -40C is -40F 🙂
Vask
Jul 11, 2021 at 4:45 PM
Comment #130Jail
I’m in!
cleveleysbob
Jul 11, 2021 at 4:46 PM
Comment #131Right, pre dinner G&T going down a treat, then dinner, then get beers poured and telly on.
I’m ready, let’s hope the team is 🙂
chancel be a fine thing
Jul 11, 2021 at 5:07 PM
Comment #132Jail,
I’m in
Uncertain Toon/World
Jul 11, 2021 at 5:08 PM
Comment #133Jail,
I’m in
Scythe For Bruce
Jul 11, 2021 at 5:47 PM
Comment #134H2H League One – final standings (top half)
1. Fish Bait FC (Asi Fish)
2. Gothmog
3. Ancient C
4. Benbulben (Colin K)
5. Werner’s Originals (Cathedral on the Hill)
6. Ledges FC (John the Ledge)
7. Jail
8. Ashingtoon
9. Hashtag Cans (John Herron)
10. Martoon
H2H League One – final standings (bottom half)
11. Mund
12. Irish Rob
13. Unlikely Lads (Simon Cox)
14. Northumbrian Lad
15. Nicky the Ball Tosser
16. Dubai Micky
17. Rom
18. Lilongwe Geordie
19. Occasionally Utd (John Reese)
20. Desert Stormers (C Tommo)
Scythe For Bruce
Jul 11, 2021 at 5:57 PM
Comment #135H2H League Two – final standings (top half)
1. Stonaldo the Eggman
2. Souperstars XI (Souptik B)
3. Mechelen Man (Jayden Arnold)
4. Onalas
5. Scott (off the blog)
6. Roshan
7. Regan
8. Scythe
9. Legolas
10. Abra Dubravka (we had two or three with this name in the main league, so ?)
H2H League Two – final standings (bottom half)
11. Clasol
12. Darnik
13. Uncertain Toon/World
14. DrGloom
15. GiimpsNUFC
16. Enter Shaqiri (Myles Fell)
17. Away Days
18. Scott Davison
19. Jakey’s Giants
20. John J (sorry John, I’m sure you’ll do much better this season, so good luck mate!)
Banana
Jul 11, 2021 at 6:49 PM
Comment #136Im in Jail if there is room – still dont really understand the ins and outs of it but will give it a go.
Onalos
Jul 11, 2021 at 7:53 PM
Comment #137I’m in (again), Thanks.
The Prince's Mate
Jul 11, 2021 at 9:41 PM
Comment #138Hi Romford what’s,your honest take on the game?
BenbulbenMag
Jul 12, 2021 at 11:16 AM
Comment #139I’m in (again thanks).
Assassins Inc
Jul 12, 2021 at 1:33 PM
Comment #140Jail I’m in
AncientC
Jul 12, 2021 at 5:35 PM
Comment #141Sign me up — I’m in.
Jail for Ashley
Jul 12, 2021 at 5:58 PM
Comment #142That’s a canny few now.
davo
Jul 13, 2021 at 1:25 PM
Comment #143I’m in again.
Adamn_92
Jul 14, 2021 at 8:57 AM
Comment #144I’m in
DubaiMicky
Jul 14, 2021 at 9:22 AM
Comment #145I’m in
Can only get better than 16/20
NY Mag
Jul 14, 2021 at 9:53 AM
Comment #146I’m in
Darnik
Jul 14, 2021 at 4:10 PM
Comment #147I’m in
Legolas
Jul 14, 2021 at 8:31 PM
Comment #148I’m in Jail, just in case you didn’t see my reply on the other post.
Jail for Ashley
Jul 14, 2021 at 9:25 PM
Comment #149Legolas,
As long as its on this thread it doesn’t matter what page. I’ll get the codes out when we hopefully have 40.
Legolas
Jul 14, 2021 at 10:59 PM
Comment #150Cheers Jail.
IITianToon
Jul 15, 2021 at 3:16 AM
Comment #151@Jail, I’m in for blog FPL H2H if there’s room still!
ChicoUSA
Jul 15, 2021 at 6:18 AM
Comment #152I’m in
Wor B
Jul 15, 2021 at 11:46 AM
Comment #153Jail
I’m in, but clueless.
If you get the required numbers to set this up, feel free to leave me out.
I’ll register nearer the deadline if you need me.
Cheers.
Jail for Ashley
Jul 15, 2021 at 12:15 PM
Comment #154Wor B, no worries but it couldn’t be simpler, I’ll talk you through it anyway. I’ll be helping NY Mag out so keep an eye on this thread.
Jail for Ashley
Jul 16, 2021 at 3:56 PM
Comment #155Anyway here’s today’s recruitment drive.
Wor B
Jul 16, 2021 at 4:23 PM
Comment #156Stupid question No1
Privacy concern…
The EPL FFL registration page 1 asks for my email (which is my full name) and also my first and second names in a separate tabs.
Is this info visible to anyone other than the EPL FFL admin?
I presume there’s an option later to name your team and have your blog name associated with it?
Jail for Ashley
Jul 16, 2021 at 6:06 PM
Comment #157Wor B,
Just enter a team name and name as Wor B, you don’t need to put your real name in.
albert albert
Jul 18, 2021 at 5:40 AM
Comment #158I’m in
Just a Skinny Steve Bruce
Jul 18, 2021 at 6:57 AM
Comment #159I’m in
Hong Kong Magpie
Jul 18, 2021 at 11:06 AM
Comment #160I’m in