Newcastle United are set to table a £8million offer for Kris Ajer, according to a report.
The Daily Mail claims the Premier League side are interested in signing the Norweigan defender if they are still in England's top flight next season.
Ajer had been widely linked with a move away from Parkhead this summer with just over a year left on his deal.
He will be free to speak to other clubs In January and Newcastle reckon they can land him for £8m with his contract running down.
The 22-year-old was urged to quit Celtic earlier this week by Norway boss Stake Solbakken.
He said: "Kristoffer has to change the league now, he must.
“He does not have enough challenges in everyday life.
“Therefore, I think he has got some habits, which you do not notice until he meets better opposition at international level or Europe
“So, I think it would be a smart move for him.
“Kristoffer should go to one of the five major leagues. He will do that.
“He has the qualities to play in those leagues and I am calm about that.”
Solbakken also reckons the Scottish Premiership is not giving him enough of a challenge to improve as a player.
He added: "It is rare you get the impression that he is at his capacity limit.
“If you are going to have development over a long period of time, you must be challenged as often as possible.
“I've told him this on the phone a couple of times.
“In some matches he plays in Scotland, he looks like a senior who plays at junior level.
“It's of course because he's good, and this is not a criticism of the Scottish league.
“But he needs to be challenged more on decision making, speed - everything. If I were him, I would try to get to a higher level."
