Darren Bent thinks Celtic may be forced to sell Kristoffer Ajer

Darren Bent has suggested that Celtic may have to sell Kristoffer Ajer in the summer transfer window.

The former Tottenham Hotspur striker believes that without Champions League football this season, if a big bid comes in for Ajer, then the Glasgow giants may not be in a position to turn it down.

Bent told Football Insider: “If the right bid comes in it’s hard for them to hold onto him. When you’ve got that backing of Champions League behind you and that backing you can say ‘listen, we’ve got an opportunity to play Champions League football here you might never get it again, you never know. Stick with us until the end of the season.’

“The fact that there’s no Champions League some of the better players will say ‘you know what, it’s not meant to be’.”

Speculation on the future of Kristoffer Ajer

Ajer is one of the best central defenders in the Scottish Premiership and is a key figure in manager Neil Lennon’s side, who are rated at 4/7 favourites by Betfair to make it 10 league titles in a row this campaign.

The 22-year-old central defender can also operate as a defensive midfielder, and the youngster has progressed a lot over the past few years.

According to Sky Sports, the representatives of Ajer have already asked Celtic how much it could cost a club to sign the youngster in the summer transfer window.

The Daily Star recently reported that Premier League champions Liverpool are looking into the possible signing of Ajer.

With Dejan Lovren having left Liverpool for Zenit Saint Petersburg already this summer, manager Jurgen Klopp may need a new centre-back.