---
title: "Newcastle: Lee Ryder provides latest on Kristoffer Ajer pursuit"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-lee-ryder-provides-latest-on-kristoffer-ajer-pursuit/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "David Comerford"
section: "Newcastle United"
published: "2021-06-01T11:10:47Z"
modified: "2021-06-01T11:10:47Z"
---

# Newcastle: Lee Ryder provides latest on Kristoffer Ajer pursuit

**Newcastle United’s deal for Celtic centre-back Kristoffer Ajer ‘will be pushed through in June’, [Chronicle Live](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-oban-kazak-deal-20713286) journalist Lee Ryder has reported.**

### The lowdown

The 23-year-old has made [176 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kristoffer-ajer/leistungsdaten/spieler/328658) for the Hoops, [winning](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kristoffer-ajer/erfolge/spieler/328658) three Premiership titles, two Scottish Cups and three Scottish League Cups. The Norwegian has also racked up [38 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kristoffer-ajer/leistungsdaten/spieler/328658) in European competition.

However, he’s now seemingly set to leave Glasgow, with [only one year left](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/kristoffer-ajer/profil/spieler/328658) on his contract at Parkhead. He averaged 3.2 successful aerial duels, 1.3 tackles, 1.4 interceptions and 3.4 clearances per game in the Scottish Premiership this season (via [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/321085/Show/Kristoffer-Ajer)).

\[freshpress-quiz id=”359496″\]

### The latest

[According to Ryder](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/newcastle-united-oban-kazak-deal-20713286), ‘sources at Parkhead’ are indicating that the transfer will be completed this month, also revealing that the fee will be £6m.

Ajer is poised to become the Magpies’ first signing of the summer as they look to build a squad capable of avoiding a relegation battle. For Newcastle, this deal is the culmination of a [‘couple of seasons’](https://twitter.com/ChronicleNUFC/status/1399421164603199488?s=19) of scouting.

### The verdict

This would be a shrewd and swift piece of business from Newcastle United. They’ve wanted Ajer for a while, it seems, and they’ve struck at the opportune moment.

Importantly, Ajer will also serve as an able replacement for Federico Fernandez, should he leave at [the end of his contract](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/newcastle-united/vertragsende/verein/762) in a few weeks’ time. The Argentine made [24 league appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/federico-fernandez/profil/spieler/85475) under Steve Bruce last season, averaging two successful aerial duels, 1.2 tackles and 0.7 interceptions per game in the 2020/21 Premier League (via [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/44847/Show/Federico-Fern%C3%A1ndez)).

Ajer exceeds him for each of those metrics, which suggests that he would be an upgrade on the 32-year-old were he to join with Steve Bruce’s side over the summer.

**In other news, [Mark Douglas has provided an update on the future of Freddie Woodman](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/newcastle-united-news/newcastle-mark-douglas-drops-update-on-freddie-woodmans-future/).**