NEIL LENNON admits Celtic face a fight to hold on to their top stars.
Club talisman Odsonne Edoaurd and Norwegian international centre-back Kristoffer Ajer have already been at the centre of transfer speculation in recent months.
The Hoops boss acknowledges the transfer landscape has changed dramatically in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.
Lennon, speaking to the Daily Record, revealed: “It is difficult to say, particularly in this climate currently, that a player is not going anywhere because everyone has a price.
“Ideally, we don’t want to sell our best players and we will remain steadfast on that.
“But if an offer comes in then I’m sure the club will consider it and do the best thing possible for the club going forward.
“But it’s not just hard for me. It’s hard for all managers right now. It will be interesting to see how the market opens up.
“You just don’t know. The English Premier League is not finished yet, but when they do, they will be starting to look around.
“It might speed up before the new season starts, but at the minute we have had no enquiries for any of our players. Nothing at all.”
Ajer has been linked with a dramatic £20million switch to Italian giants AC Milan, but Lennon insisted: “There’s absolutely nothing in that at all. Nothing.
“He’s got a couple of years left on his contract and I want him here and the club wants him here.”
The Hoops, of course, have already shed some of last season’s first-team squad with Craig Gordon, Jozo Simunovic and Jonny Hayes leaving the club at the end of their contracts while fans’ favourite Fraser Forster has returned to Southampton at the completion of his loan.
The Hoops gaffer has been making moves to strengthen his player pool and a new keeper could be on his way by the end of the week. Several other outfield targets are also being assessed.
Lennon also stated chief executive Peter Lawwell has not made any moves to slash what is in the transfer kitty.
Asked about his summer war chest, Lennon joked: “What budget?”
He added: “I‘ve had no indication from Peter that the climate has changed. It’s business as usual, as far as I am concerned.
“But I’m not close to anything. I’m spinning a few plates, but there’s nothing concrete at the moment. There are a couple of positions that we are looking to strengthen.
“Goalkeeper is obviously one of them and we are working on a number of options as well as for other positions.”
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