Celtic transfer update: Ajeti flies in for talks, striker leaves on loan, Toney deal setback

Swiss international in talks over possible £5m move

West Ham forward Albian Ajeti pictured in Glasgow ahead of a proposed move to Celtic. Picture: Craig Foy / SNS

Celtic are closing in on a move for the West Ham United striker Albian Ajeti.

The Swiss international is in Glasgow to speak to the Parkhead club in what is being seen as a significant breakthrough in the potential deal.

A transfer fee as high as £5 million has been mentioned for the forward who struggled to break into the first team at West Ham last season after his outstanding form for Basel earned him an £8m move to the English Premier League club.

Swiss international Albian Ajeti was joined by his representative as he arrived in Glasgow for transfer talks. Picture: Craig Foy / SNS

Celtic manager Neil Lennon is looking to strengthen his striking options, with Leigh Griffiths returning to pre-season training unfit and now sidelined with an ankle injury.

Lennon has also lost fringe forward Vakoun Bayo, who completed his move to French club Toulouse on Wednesday. He has joined the Ligue 2 side on loan until the end of the 2020/21 season.

The 23-year-old Ivorian has made just 17 appearances and scored two goals for Celtic since signing from Slovakian side Dunajska Streda in January 2019.

Bayo, who made only one Premiership start, was pictured in a Toulouse shirt on Saturday but the deal was delayed after manager Patrice Garande, assistant Jean-Marie Huriez and two first-team players all tested positive for coronavirus, leading to the cancellation of a friendly.

Vakoun Bayo has completed his move to Toulouse on loan. Picture: Craig Foy / SNS

Celtic's hopes of signing Peterborough United striker Ivan Toney now look slim.

The Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony says there is strong interest in the player from a big club outwith England.

MacAnthony revealed the club accepted an offer for Toney two weeks ago which far exceeded the £5m Celtic reportedly offered for the striker.

“I’ve had Celtic fans telling me we shouldn’t be asking £5 million for a League One player, but believe me the deal we negotiated a couple of weeks ago was for a lot more than that,” MacAnthony told his ‘Hard Truth’ podcast. “Ivan was given permission to speak to the club but so far nothing has happened.”

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