Chris Sutton believes, Kristoffer Ajer should snub a move to the Premier League this summer and stay put at Celtic, if he wishes to develop as a player.
Leicester City have been heavily linked with a move for the centre-back as Brendan Rodgers is keen to reunite with him at the King Power. But Sutton believes, the 22-year-old should not look to head South if he wishes to emulate Virgil Van Dijk.
He wrote in his Daily Record column: “Kristoffer Ajer has the right credentials to reach the top. But at this point in his career, he’s still got a fair bit of learning to do.
“And any thoughts of glamorous moves out of Celtic should not enter the 22-year-old’s head because he’s in the right hands to be developed into a top-class centre-back. Neil Lennon has form when it comes to this. Take one look at where Virgil van Dijk is in his career if you can’t see it.
“It is important to move when you are ready to take the next step. Ajer isn’t ready yet. For his development, it’s better to stay put and play. He’s good but nowhere near the finished article.
“At this moment in time, he’s not at the stage where he is ready to step up to a higher plane. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not being ultra-critical of the kid. I actually believe he was one of the key figures in delivering another title last season.
“Celtic could get a right few quid for him if they choose to cash in because there will be no shortage of teams looking. But at what level?
“But if you consider the fact that van Dijk had to go to Southampton before anyone believed that he was the real deal, it puts it in some context.”
Should Kristoffer Ajer stay put at Parkhead?
Sutton does have a degree of truth in his statement but what the pundit conveniently missed out is that Van Dijk was with Celtic for two seasons and then he went on to spend another two and a half years with the Saints.
So, in practicality Van Dijk developed equally in Scotland as well as in the English top division.
Kristoffer Ajer, on the other hand, has been with the Bhoys since 2016 and the player should now be looking to level up, especially with a club like Leicester City looking to sign him.
Apart from the glitz and glamour of the Premier League and the pay hike, the defender will also get a chance to showcase his talent in the Champions League next season. And this is something Ajer will not want to miss out on.
