Conflicting reports now emerge on Newcastle's '£6m deal' for Celtic star Kristoffer Ajer

The weekend before last, The Mirror reported that Newcastle had won the race to sign Kristoffer Ajer, stating that a £6m deal had been agreed between ourselves and Cetlic.

They claimed that he was set on a move to St James' Park and 'would sign' this summer, ending Bruce's two-year search for a new centre-back.

A week later, a report from The Mail emerged yesterday stating that the 6ft 5' defender was now 'unlikely' to sign, with Simon Jones' piece stating that we were now checking out a possible loan move for Arsenal's William Saliba after Ajer had received late interest from Bayer Levekusen and newly promoted Norwich City.

Two conflicting stories or at least a suggestion that there was still plenty work to do, however yet another 'update' has emerged on the giant Norwegian's future today.

According to the Daily Record - a Scottish paper who have been reporting on our interest in the 23-year-old for a few months now - we are still in pole position to sign him.

Here's a snippet from their latest piece, which suggests we are facing a fight to get our man, but remain his most likely destination - despite interest from Norwich:

"There’s a fight to land defender Ajer, with Newcastle United leading the chase with Norwich City for the £10m rated Norwegian.

"The centre back revealed last week Celtic agreed to let him go this summer if the price was right but he won’t be allowed to depart on the cheap."

Perhaps the Daily Record have it right and The Mirror were jumping the gun the weekend before last, with it seeming more likely that we are his preferred destination and showing serious interest, but not yet in a position to say he'll sign - hence why we may have back up options in mind, such as Saliba.

We shall see, but it seems this one's far from done yet but also anything but dead in the water!

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