Celtic F.C. midfielder Beram Kayal has revealed he could leave the club at the end of the season after admitting he has fallen out of love with the Scottish Premier League.
Kayal, who joined Celtic from Israeli Premier League side Maccabi Haifa in the summer of 2010, has struggled to stay fit since moving to Scotland., having picked up injuries in challenges against Rangers defender Lee McCulloch in 2011 and AC Milan midfielder Kaka in 2012.
The Israel international, once targeted by Liverpool and Manchester United, is now hoping he can follow former Celtic team-mate Joe Ledley out of Scotland’s top-flight.
“Initially, I liked this league, but after all the injuries I no longer like it,” Kayal said. “There is a lack of technique, but football is played at a breakneck pace, with power and intensity and it doesn’t stop for a minute.
“But I’m not in love with this league. A friend of mine, Joe Ledley, was on the verge of his contract expiring and was sold to Crystal Palace. Maybe this will happen to me because football is a business at the end of the day.
“If someone comes up with an attractive proposition to Celtic and me, then I’ll go. In my first season at Celtic, a lot of teams came to watch me and tried to find out what my price tag was. Kenny Dalglish, who was manager of Liverpool, and Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United had communications with me.
“When a lot of teams were interested, Celtic wanted too much money – like £6m or £7m. Now, because of my injuries, the price is much lower. But my dream is still alive and well. I am only 26 next month.”
Kayal, currently valued at around €1.25 million, is represented by agent Pinhas Zahavi, whose client list includes the likes of Carlos Tévez, Javier Mascherano and João Moutinho.
Celtic (27-4-1) will travel to Tannadice Park to take on fourth-placed Dundee United (15-9-8) at the weekend.
Dundee United (9/2); Celtic (4/6); Draw (31/10)
Wolfsburg waiting on Olic decision
VfL Wolfsburg remain keen on retaining the services of Croatia international striker Ivica Olic despite reports suggesting he is on the verge of agreeing a deal with Premier League side Stoke City.
According to reports, Olic visited ‘first-choice’ Stoke to meet with manager Mark Hughes on Monday.
The 34-year-old, formerly of Bayern Munich, would like to test himself against the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United before hanging up his boots.
However, Wolfsburg manager Dieter Hecking has admitted he would like the player to reject a move to Stoke in favour of staying at the Volkswagen Arena.
“Ivica Olic is a very important player for the team,” Hecking told Sky Deutschland.
“Me and [Wolfsburg general manager] Klaus Allofs have told him in a private conversation that I would be delighted if he signs a new deal with our club.
“Of course, I would be sympathetic if Ivi would look to find a new challenge. The decision will be up to him.”
Olic has bagged 10 goals and three assists in 26 Bundesliga appearances for Wolfsburg this season.
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