Southampton, Crystal Palace and Brighton battling for Celtic star Stuart Armstrong
Scottish international is keen to play in the Premier League as Celtic prepare to offload midfielder to avoid another contract stand-off and losing him on free next year
SOUTHAMPTON, Crystal Palace and Brighton are chasing Celtic’s Stuart Armstrong, according to reports.
The midfielder will be allowed to leave the Scottish champions this summer as the club look to avoid another contract stand-off with the six-cap Scottish international.
Celtic wanted the 26-year-old to commit his long-term future at the club last season.
But, after lengthy talks he only penned a one-year extension and boss Brendan Rodgers will cut his losses this summer, say the .
Celtic are hoping to spark a bidding war for the midfielder’s signature, instead of allowing him to leave for nothing next year.
Armstrong fell down the pecking order last season starting just 15 games.
And after three-and-a-half years at Celtic he is keen to try his luck in the Premier League.
Saints boss Mark Hughes is looking to make radical changes at St Mary’s after they survived the drop by the skin of their teeth.
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Hughes is also tracking Barca striker Paco Alcacer who wants out of the Nou Camp to be the main man elsewhere next season.
Seagulls chief Chris Hughton has already signed Nigerian international defender Leon Balogun and is close to landing Sunderland’s Paddy McNair.
Palace boss Roy Hodgson has drafted in Getafe keeper Vicente Guaita on a free while releasing Damien Delaney and Chung-Yong Lee.