Atletico Madrid join the hunt for Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer

The defensive department of the Atletico Madrid squad needs quality additions this summer.

The reports in Spain suggested that Atletico Madrid have joined the hunt for Kristoffer Ajer.

The 22-year-old has been subject to interest from various European clubs.

Celtic spent 600,000 euros to sign the Norway international from Start in the summer of 2016.

This season, Ajer has scored 4 goals and provided 2 assists in 49 appearances for Celtic.

The 22-year-old is considered to be one of the best defenders in Norway. As a member of Norway national football team, Ajer won 14 caps.

Kristoffer Ajer is set to be a man in demand in the summer transfer window, with a host of clubs queueing up to pursue his signature.

Diego Simeone wants to sign a new defender and Ajer is one of the names at the top of his wishlist. The Atletico Madrid manager has been impressed by his performances this season and could make a move this summer.

Kristoffer Ajer has the talent to play many roles in defense.

According to the report, “Atletico Madrid are one of the teams interested in signing Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer, Football Espana can reveal. The Norwegian has been heavily linked with moves away from Celtic Park as he enters the two years of his contract, with Atletico’s city rivals Real Madrid on the list of teams keeping an eye on him, according to Mundo Deportivo. The Sun then quoted his agent telling the world that his client “not extend his contract and will leave this summer”, attempting to push the Scottish Champions towards a sale. Atletico have spent heavily in recent windows, and their focus remains on bringing more goals into the team, but their scouts have been impressed by the dominant style of Ajer, whose 1.97m frame and assured presence on the ball makes him capable of stepping up to a bigger league. What’s more, he will be available for a coronavirus-friendly price as he gets closer to the end of his deal in 2022.”

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Celtic are not in a position where they need to sell and would like to keep hold of the defender, but right offer may force the club to consider a deal.

Good signing for Atletico Madrid?

Although he may not be an immediate improvement to the squad, he could be a valuable signing for the future if he continues to progress at this rate.

Atletico Madrid must improve their defensive options and the signing of Ajer would be a step in the right direction.

Stylistically, he would be a great fit in Atletico.

If Kristoffer Ajer wanted to leave Celtic, would it be disappointing? Yes. But would it be surprising? Not really. However, nothing is set in stone, and everything is merely speculation until an official move is announced.

How strong that interest is and whether Atletico will make a move remains to be seen but it is certainly one worth keeping an eye on.

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Should Atletico Madrid make a move for Kristoffer Ajer?

Bologna-born Giuseppe Bianchi has spent more than a decade living in Rome and writing about Italian football, Spanish football and the Premier League for various Italian football portals and now he writes about European football for Euro Football Rumours. He's been thinking about football transfers pretty much nonstop since the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy. Aside from writing, he likes to spend his time fishing and rock climbing.