Hammers striker could be first departure

Celtic are in advanced talks with West Ham striker Albian Ajeti over a season-long loan. The Scottish Premiership champions are hoping to secure a deal with an option to buy, for a fee of around £5.5m.

Sources close to Scottish Premiership say a verbal agreement has already been reached and the deal could be finalised very soon to become the Hammers first departure of the summer.

Although West Ham would prefer a transfer fee, it is understood they are open to a loan move and Parkhead is the most likely possible destination with Hammers boss David Moyes happy to sanction a move his old club.

Ajeti has struggled to break into the West Ham side this season following his £7.83m move from Basel last summer.

The 23-year-old has made just nine Premier League appearances for West Ham this season, all from the bench, and has grown increasingly frustrated by the lack of first-team opportunities. Ajeti could be the first a number of luxury and fringe players allowed to leave this summer as David Moyes looks to bring two to three new faces in.