Albian Ajeti heading for Celtic exit as former club FC Basel target misfit striker, while Adam Montgomery nears Kilmarnock loan move

Celtic striker Albian Ajeti could be heading towards the Parkhead exit door after emerging as a transfer target for former club FC Basel.

The Swiss international is currently sidelined with a hamstring injury and has struggled with his fitness since arriving in Glasgow on a four-year-deal for £4.5million in the summer of 2020.

Following the arrival of versatile Japanese frontman Daizen Maeda and Giorgos Giakoumakis’ recent upturn in form, Ajeti’s game time is likely to remain limited under boss Ange Postecoglou.

The former West Ham United man could leave the Hoops before Switzerland’s transfer deadline in mid-February as a direct replacement for Brazilian star Arthur Cabal.

Fiorentina-bound Cabal has racked up 46 goals in 77 games and the Swiss outfit have reportedly drafted up a list of targets with Ajeti believed to feature prominently.

The 24-year-old has failed to nail down a regular starting spot since arriving at Celtic under previous manager Neil Lennon, scoring just nine times in 48 appearances.

A return to his hometown club, where he enjoyed the most prolific spell of his career, appears on the cards with Postecoglou unlikely to stand in Ajeti’s way should the club receive a offer.

Ajeti hasn’t played for Celtic since suffering a hamstring injury in their final Europa League group stage match against Real Betis in early December.

Meanwhile, Scottish Championship promotion hopefuls Kilmarnock are close to bringing Celtic youngster Adam Montgomery to Rugby Park on loan.

The 19-year-old full-back has featured 18 times under Postecoglou this season and started four out of six Europa League fixtures during the Hoops recent injury crisis.

Following the return of Greg Taylor from a shoulder injury last month, Montgomery could now spend the remainder of the season at Killie in search of regular first-team action.