Celtic defender Kristoffer Ajer 's former club IK Start have revealed they included a significant sell-on clause that could net them a life saving windfall when he is eventually sold.
The giant stopper has been strongly linked with a big-money move to AC Milan, Leicester City and Atletico Madrid in recent weeks and looks certain to quit the Hoops this summer.
When he does leave Parkhead, the 10 per cent sell-on clause will provide a financial lifeline for his former club, who are £2million in debt with their owner forecasting last month they would run out of money soon.
And the man who negotiated his bargain £650,000 transfer to Celtic four years ago has insisted they knew the 22-year-old was destined for the top.
Former IK Start director Ogrey Brandsdal said: "When we sold him to Celtic, we were also in a very tight financial position and that made the negotiations very pressurised.
"But from the very first moment we saw Kristoffer, we knew he would be playing in the top leagues one day.
"So although we needed the money urgently, we sacrificed some of it so we could add the sell-on clause. We took a long-term view of his career.
"Celtic are known to develop and sell players. They will want a good return on him and won't allow him to see out his contract."
And Start general manager, Christopher MacConnacher, admits he's awaiting developments with their former player this summer with interest.
He stressed: "Although we have not included the sell-on clause of Kristoffer in our budgets, it would of course be very welcome if he did get transferred.
"Especially if the transfer fee is as close to what has been speculated.
"The worst case scenario is that we run out of money in the summer, but we believe we now have a better control over our situation.
"But we still have an uncertain future."
