Celtic manager Neil Lennon has confirmed his interest in West Ham striker Albian but says he doesn’t know how close the Scottish Premiership side are to signing him.

Lennon told the Scottish Daily Record  “I am not aware of how close we are in doing that (Ajeti deal). I know talks are ongoing. That’s my position at the minute, it may or may not happen, as is the case with a lot of deals we are trying to negotiate.”

Yesterday Sky Sports. claimed Hammer Ajeti is close to agreeing on terms with Celtic on a loan.

The broadcaster claimed Celtic held further talks with the player’s agent on Thursday night after the 23-year-old asked for more time to consider his options, while on holiday in Sardinia.

The deal on the table is thought to be a loan with an obligation to buy for a transfer fee of £4.5m.

A club insider speaking to Claret and Hugh yesterday on the ‘phone said he was in the dark as regards to Ajeti’s thought processes on a move to Celtic. The player is on holiday on the Italian island of Sardina and the club have had no contact with the player or the agent.

The striker is due to report back to Rush Green on Monday 17th August after three weeks holiday.