Sky Sources have reported that West Ham striker Albian Ajeti is close to a move to Scottish giants Celtic.
Now on the cusp of a move to Celtic, the Swiss striker arrived from Basel in the summer transfer window of 2019 for around £8 million. Ajeti was supposed to be a competitive option for then West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini. The move sadly did not work out well.
Ajeti has barely been given a chance to show why he was signed in the first place by West Ham. Neither Manuel Pellegrini nor David Moyes gave him a proper go and he has lingered on the bench for the majority of the season.
The 23-year-old only managed to play 400 minutes of competitive football for the Hammers in all competitions. During this time on the pitch, Ajeti failed to contribute towards a single goal for West Ham.
Even with the failings of record signing Sebastien Haller in terms of form and being injured. So as Ajeti thought he would be given a chance, Michail Antonio was selected ahead of him to a devastating effect. The 30-year-old scored 8 goals in 7 games which fired West Ham Premier League safety.
Ajeti’s style of football is much like that of Jamie Vardy, blessed with pace and has the ability to get behind advanced defences. But being played against lower league teams in the cup or coming on to save the team from a losing position this was never seen. This is because the defences he was up against were already dropped back leaving very little space for him to expose.
Celtic are willing to offer him an escape route, the Scottish giants have reportedly agreed a loan move with an obligation to buy him in 2021. The purchase of the Swiss striker will be around £5 million, meaning that after not being able to contribute on the pitch, the Hammers will also make a loss on the striker of around £3 million.
The striker was spotted in St Gallen today ahead of a potential medical tomorrow and he looks set to leave West Ham United for the Bhoys north of the border.
🇨🇭Albian Ajeti is in St Gallen at the moment, Will he have his medical tomorrow or will there be a twist in the tale after today's rumours he is unsure about moving🤔 pic.twitter.com/PTEWhE91m4
— The Parkhead Faithful (@TheParkheadF) July 28, 2020
Ajeti will relish the chance to play for Celtic, the Scottish league in recent years has been a goal-fest for the Glasgow based side. Celtic have averaged over 2 goals per game over the course of the season, so Ajeti will have plenty of chances to rebuild his name as the potent striker he was at Basel.