Celtic have been told to slap a £30million price tag on Kristoffer Ajer as Italian giants AC Milan plot a Parkhead raid for the defender.
Former Celtic centre-back Vidar Riseth is a close pal of the Norwegian international and he insists the Rossoneri are in the hunt to land the 22-year-old.
Riseth is convinced Ajer will leave the Premiership champions for huge money in the future – but reckons his heart remains on staying right now.
Riseth said: “Kris is a modern centre-back, he’s young and has a lot of potential.
“The money clubs will pay for these kinds of players is crazy right now.
“We are talking £50m and more now in that transfer market.
“When the time comes for Kris to go, I think Celtic will be able to demand £20m – maybe even £30m.
“That’s the level we are talking about now.
“Kris is still only 22 and already has a lot of experience. He has played in Europe and he has been captain of Norway.
“That kind of quality comes at a cost.
“We will see but I believe he will stay at Celtic.”
Riseth admitted the lure of Milan could be strong but he keeps in close contact with Ajer and is sure the youngster is in no rush to go.
The centre-back – who is under contract until 2022 – is also on former boss Brendan Rodgers ’ radar at Leicester.
Riseth – who was part of Martin O’Neill’s Treble-winning side in 2001 – believes Ajer is destined to head down south at some stage but is content to continue his development at Parkhead for now.
He revealed the defender played down the prospect of an exit the last time they spoke.
He said: “There are so many rumours around Kris but he is used to it.
“I’ve said right from the start that Kris would prove to be a great signing for Celtic and I have no doubt he’ll go on to big things.
“There is talk of AC Milan and I know they are really interested.
“They’ve watched him many times and he is the type of player they want.
“I think he will stay at Celtic for now.
“Every time I speak to him he tells me he loves Celtic, he loves the town and the last time I spoke to him he said, ‘Why would I want to leave Celtic?’
“Obviously when big clubs are mentioned then you can talk about it and Milan are a huge club.
“It’s not easy to resist but I believe he’ll sign a new deal with Celtic.
“He is sensible about his career and I think one day he will play in the English Premier League.
“I know there has been talk about Leicester City and that is natural with Rodgers being the manager there.
“But he is happy for now and we will have to wait and see.”
