RYAN CHRISTIE is on Brendan Rodgers’ wanted list at Leicester City.
The former Celtic boss has been frustrated in his pursuit of striker Odsonne Edouard, but could have more luck in his move for the midfielder who is currently on Scotland international duty in the Euros.
Remarkably, Christie’s contract expires at the turn of the year and he will be permitted to talk to interested clubs during the summer transfer window.
French outfits Nice and Monaco are also monitoring the 26-year-old Highlander who joined the Parkhead side in a £500,000 switch from Inverness Caley Thistle in 2015 and had two loan stints at Aberdeen.
Christie has steadfastly refused to sign an extension and can walk away for nothing in January, so the Hoops are looking to get cash for the player before he inevitably leaves the club and Rodgers is keen on a reunion with his one-time playmaker, according to the Daily Mail.
UP IN THE AIR…Ryan Christie is in the midle of a juggling act.
Nice saw an £8million bid for Christie knocked back in the previous window, but are ready to look again at his situation.
New boss Ange Postecoglou arrives in Glasgow to start work this week after quarantining in London and will need to address several player issues at the club, who are talking to former gaffer Gordon Strachan about a technical director role, as reported by CQN.
Edouard will be high on the agenda of the one-time Australia international chief with the flamboyant marksman targeted by Rodgers for almost a year. Negotiations have stalled on a fee for the 23-year-old attacker who cost £9million when he arrived from Paris Saint-Germain in June 2018. He has a year remaining on his contract, but will almost certainly quit in the coming months.
The Leicester City gaffer has switched his interest to RB Salzburg attacker Patson Daka, but fully intends to step up his bid for Christie who has also been linked with his pal Stuart Armstrong’s club Southampton.
The middle-of-the-park operator was hooked in the first-half of Scotland’s 2-0 defeat from Czech Republic in the Euros a week ago and did not figure in the goalless draw with England at Wembley on Friday evening. He is in Steve Clarke’s squad for tomorrow night’s crucial must-win encounter with Croatia at Hampden.
