The 26-year-old, currently on duty with his country at Euro 2020, will certainly leave the Parkhead club this summer. Both parties accept this outcome as Christie moves into the final six months of his contract.
The fact his contract expires in January means Celtic will struggle to attract a fee of much more than £1m for a player signed from Inverness Caledonian Thistle for £500,000 six years ago. However, with Southampton and Burnley previously credited with interest, a posse of potential suitors could push up the asking price.
Christie was wanted by a Bundesliga club in January of last year and was keen to go, but Celtic rejected the bid as they kept the squad together for their nine-in-a-row tilt. There could be renewed interest from Germany then, though Nice are understood to have had an £8m offer rejected for Christie last summer – as the club again retained personnel ahead of their failed 10 bid.
Meanwhile, a club source has dismissed speculation Gordon Strachan could be in line for the technical director position as Celtic’s revamp their football department around new manager Ange Postecoglou. Strachan currently operates in the role for Dundee, while son Gavin’s future as a current coach at the Parkhead club has yet to be clarified. Both Gavin Strachan and John Kennedy will assist Postecoglou as the club’s pre-season training begins tomorrow, in preparation for the Champions League second round qualifier against FC Midtjylland. The Glasgow first leg is on July 20, with the return eight days later.