Celtic are reportedly in discussions with Norwegian side Sarpsborg for the signing of winger Sondre Ørjasæter, with the club seeking a deal worth around £7 million.
Ørjasæter, a Norway U21 international, enjoyed an impressive season in the Eliteserien, registering six goals and seven assists in 32 appearances.
Watching some clips on YouTube, he looks like he has some speed, technical ability, and skilful play; the 21-year-old fits the profile of the dynamic, attacking winger that Celtic have been known to target.
Celtic are not alone in their pursuit of Ørjasæter. Serie A clubs Fiorentina and Parma and Ligue 1 outfit Nice are also monitoring the winger’s situation.
With two years remaining on his current contract, Sarpsborg are in a strong negotiating position and are reportedly holding out for the £7m valuation, Sky Sports report.
It is reported that Celtic first made contact with Sarpsborg in early December, placing themselves firmly in the race for the promising winger.
The club’s interest aligns with their ongoing strategy of targeting young, high-potential talent from emerging markets like Scandinavia, with some international recognition.
Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has emphasised the need for more attacking options, particularly in light of injuries to wingers like Daizen Maeda, Nicolas Kühn, and James Forrest. Luis Palma’s potential exit and ongoing links with other clubs only increase the urgency. Ørjasæter’s versatility make him a strong candidate to bolster the squad in this area.
The Scandinavian market has proven to be fertile ground for discovering technically gifted and physically capable players, and Ørjasæter could represent a step in the right direction for Celtic’s recruitment. By tapping into this market, the club could secure top talent at reasonable prices compared to more traditional footballing markets.
