---
title: "Celtic: Leigh Griffiths linked with Parkhead loan exit"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-leigh-griffiths-linked-with-parkhead-loan-exit/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Sean Clifford"
section: "Celtic News"
published: "2021-07-18T14:05:56Z"
modified: "2021-07-18T14:05:56Z"
---

# Celtic: Leigh Griffiths linked with Parkhead loan exit

**Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths has been linked with a shock loan move to Sky Bet League One side Sunderland, according to [The Scottish Sun](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/7417301/celtic-leigh-griffiths-sunderland-shock-loan/).**

### The Lowdown: Departures expected as Celtic squad takes shape

With competitive football once again on the horizon at Celtic Park, new manager Ange Postecoglou will be desperate to cultivate a squad capable of reclaiming the Premiership title once more.

However, the Hoops are not immune to the prospect of high-profile departures this summer. [Kristoffer Ajer](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-9794345/Kristoffer-Ajer-closing-13-5m-Brentford-declaring-wish-leave-Celtic.html) looks set to complete a move to Premier League side Brentford, whilst Odsonne Edouard has been linked with a move to [West Ham United](https://www.hammers.news/transfer-news/odsonne-edouard-door-open-for-west-ham-report/).

On the topic of potential outgoings, could the Celts now be set to sanction the exit of Scotland international Griffiths in the near future?

\[freshpress-poll id=”366474″\]

### The Latest: Griffiths eyed by Sunderland for loan switch

Sunderland are said to be readying a loan swoop for the 30-year-old ace. Out in the cold at Celtic, Griffiths was sent home from their pre-season training camp over reported off-field misdemeanours, whilst he hasn’t completed a single minute of pre-season football thus far \[[The Scottish Sun](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/7417301/celtic-leigh-griffiths-sunderland-shock-loan/)\].

Griffiths is believed to be told where he stands in Postecoglou’s plans shortly for the forthcoming term \[[The Scottish Sun](https://www.thescottishsun.co.uk/sport/football/7417301/celtic-leigh-griffiths-sunderland-shock-loan/)\].

Having looked set to leave the Bhoys at the end of last season, the Edinburgh-born marksman was handed a lifeline at Parkhead after signing a one-year contract extension at the beginning of this month \[[Sky Sports](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11787/12346299/leigh-griffiths-celtic-striker-signs-one-year-contract-extension#:~:text=Celtic%20striker%20Leigh%20Griffiths%20has,for%20Celtic%2C%20scoring%20123%20goals.)\].

\[freshpress-quiz id=”363792″\]

### The Verdict: Right move for Griffiths and Celtic

All things considered, it may be the correct time for Griffiths to move on following seven years at the club.

Despite registering [123](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leigh-griffiths/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/45611) goals and [51](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leigh-griffiths/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/45611) assists in [262](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leigh-griffiths/leistungsdatenverein/spieler/45611) games for Celtic, he has found himself mired in hot water over the last year due to issues surrounding his [fitness](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11787/12340709/neil-lennon-celtic-striker-leigh-griffiths-was-overweight-and-out-of-shape-after-lockdown) and [conduct](https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/19434105.police-scotland-investigating-claims-leigh-griffiths-sent-inappropriate-messages-second-teen-girl/).

This infrequent reliability translated on to the pitch in 2020/21, where Griffiths notched seven goals in 26 fixtures, although he did not complete a single 90-minute appearance throughout the campaign \[[Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/leigh-griffiths/leistungsdaten/spieler/45611/plus/0?saison=2020)\].

Once labelled as ‘a very exciting player’ by former Celtic manager Ronny Deila \[[Herald Scotland](https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/13198395.ronny-deila-holds-leigh-griffiths-shining-standard-professionalism/)\], a move to Sunderland for Griffiths may be the best solution for all parties in this situation given his unenviable fortunes of late .

***In other news, a journalist has [dropped an exciting claim](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/celtic-transfer-rumours/celtic-journalist-makes-exciting-hoops-claim/) regarding the Hoops.***