He’s been linked with a move to England and Italy but the Premiership champions are on the case
Xaver Schlager of RB Leipzig(Image: Pau Barrena/Getty Images)
Celtic have offered a pre-contract deal to Austrian international midfielder Xaver Schlager.
The RB Leipzig ace is out of contract at the end of the season and his club announced this week that the 28-year-old has rejected the offer of a new deal with them in Germany and will be leaving at the end of the season. He’s been linked with a move to England and Italy, but reports in Germany have confirmed that Celtic are so far the only club to have offered him a deal for next term.
Schlager stated: “My last three-and-a-half years at the club have been marked by several unforgettable moments. I feel very at home here, both at the club and within the team. That’s why I really appreciate the efforts the club and its management team have put into our discussions.
“But ultimately, my desire to experience and try something new. It wasn’t a rejection of RB Leipzig, but rather a decision to pursue something else.
“Anyone who knows me will know that I will give my all for this club, our fans and our shared goals until the final whistle of my last game. My priority is to close this chapter of my life at RB Leipzig in a positive way.”
And the club’s sports director, Marcel Schafer, added: “We dedicated a lot of time and effort over the course of several meetings to trying to persuade Xaver to extend his contract with us.
“However, of course we accept and respect his decision to pursue a new challenge, especially as the whole process was characterised by open and honest discussions.”
The former Red Bull Salzburg and Wolfsburg star is set to win his 50th cap for Austria next month and will be a key member of their squad for the World Cup, where they will play Argentina, Algeria and Jordan.
And Celtic are hoping they can tempt him to Glasgow next season.
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