Celtic correspondent Kieran Devlin has been reacting to rumours that Albian Ajeti’s return to Basel is off.
The Lowdown: Reports from Switzerland
The Switzerland striker was expected to leave the club this month, along with Vasilis Barkas and Boli Bolingoli.
The striker was heavily linked with a move back to Basel, especially after Arthur Cabral’s €16m (£13.3m) move to Fiorentina from the Swiss club went through.
However, according to Swiss outlet Basler Zeitung, as relayed by 67 Hail Hail, a move for Ajeti doesn’t look likely, with the 24-year-old not fitting the model at St Jakob Park. His wage demands are also too much for Basel, with Devlin now giving his thoughts to the news.
The Latest: Devlin’s comments
Devlin was asked by a Celtic supporter on The Athletic about Ajeti and a move to Basel being off the cards.
Here’s what he had to say in reply, believing that it could be a ‘negotiation tactic’ for the forward’s services and name-checking Cabral’s recent exit:
“Possibility that’s grandstanding/negotiation tactic with them receiving 15 million euros for Arthur Cabral.”
The Verdict: Still time…
As Devlin mentioned this morning, a move to Basel wasn’t one which needed to be finalised today, with the Swiss market still open for another few weeks.
It’s not just Switzerland where the market stays open, though, with a number of countries still allowed to do business going into February.
Should the likes of Ajeti, Barkas and Bolingoli fail to seal Parkhead exits today, at least the Hoops will still have a chance to find the trio a new home outside of the UK over the coming weeks.
In other news: ‘Fans will be worried’ – Pundit thinks late £5m+ Celtic move will now go through