Celtic duo Albian Ajeti and Osaze Urhoghide could leave Parkhead in January to make room for winter transfer window additions, The Daily Record have reported.
The Lowdown: Out of favour…
Neither of those has made the impact they may have hoped for under Ange Postecoglou.
The Hoops brought in four attacking additions over the summer in Kyogo Furuhashi, Liel Abada, Jota and Giorgos Giakoumakis, which has resulted in Ajeti starting just five games all season when options have been limited.
The 24-year-old cost the Hoops £4.5m from West Ham, but he last started a league game back in September.
Urhoghide, who was a beast for former employers Sheffield Wednesday, was Celtic’s first signing under Postecoglou, but he is yet to kick a competitive ball for the Hoops' first team, and it seems as if the pair could depart in the New Year.
The Latest: A busy January?
The Daily Record shared a story on Saturday, looking at six players who could be in line to leave the club to make room for new additions that Postecoglou has promised.
Two of those were Ajeti and Urhoghide, with The Daily Record claiming that the Hoops are ready to cut their losses when it comes to the Swiss forward.
Meanwhile, they suggested that the young defender, labelled as ‘quick’ by Postecoglou when he signed in the summer, could be shipped out on loan after struggling in his early months at Lennoxtown.
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The Verdict: Correct calls?
With no director of football or head of recruitment in place, you’d expect that interim CEO Michael Nicholson will be the man in charge of incomings and outgoings in January.
It appears to be a wise move on both players, especially with Ajeti, who is picking up £18,000-a-week in Scotland and hardly contributing. Celtic are thought to be in for Japanese forward Daizen Maeda, so moving on the Switzerland international, even if it is for less than £4.5m, would seem to be a smart call.
Loaning out Urhoghide, who was playing regular first-team football in the English Championship last season, could also be a shrewd move.
If a temporary move materialises, hopefully it could benefit the centre-back as it would afford him the opportunity to play senior football on a regular basis, which could then give him a better chance of featuring at Celtic Park next season.
In other news: Hart and Juranovic delighted as Celtic announce more official contract news