da realsbet： This article is part of Football FanCast’s Transfer Focus series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent transfer news…
da dobrowin： According to The Daily Mail, Leicester have placed Kristoffer Ajer on their list of potential transfer targets at centre-back.
What’s the word?
The Celtic defender worked under current Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers whilst the pair were both at Celtic Park, and signed a new long-term contract with the Scottish giants that tied his future down to 2022.
However, The Daily Mail claim Leicester scout Sean St Ledger travelled to Scotland to watch Celtic’s Europa League clash against Lazio on Thursday night, with Rodgers himself openly admitted he would be keen on bringing in a new centre-back.
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He said: “We’re looking at all options to see if we can strengthen in January. I’ve always tried to be positive in the January window. It’s normally worked fairly well for us when the availability has been there. (At centre-back) it’s one where we’re planning forward, if you look at Wes (Morgan) and where he’s at in his career.”
Maguire who?
At 6 foot 5, Ajer is an inch taller than former Foxes favourite Harry Maguire, and quite literally speaking at least, wouldn’t be in the England international’s shadow. The Celtic man has been a cornerstone of the Scottish side’s success since moving to Parkhead, racking up 100 appearances for the club.
One of the main qualities of Maguire’s game in his time at the King Power, was that he was calm and composed on the ball, averaging 56.4 passes per game at an accuracy of 85.6% in the Premier League last season.
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Ajer, meanwhile, has played at (and take a breath here): centre-back, right-back, holding midfield, central midfield, attacking midfield and even at centre-forward. The Norwegian’s versatility in areas further forward shows managers have had trust in him with the ball at his feet, and not just to be a ‘clear it to safety’ type of defender.
Indeed, after the Norwegian scored against Motherwell back in August, his current Celtic boss Neil Lennon said: “Ajer was magnificent. He is playing so consistently. It shows the quality he has, he is not just a versatile player, he plays the positions really, really well.”
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Having previously worked with him before, Rodgers’ reported interest in the 21-year-old makes perfect sense. And having sold Maguire to Manchester United for £80m, a swoop for Ajer could help banish any lingering memories.