Celtic are eyeing a summer move for Aberdeen winger Jonny Hayes – and Ryan Christie or Gary Mackay-Steven could be offered in exchange, according to the Daily Record.
The newspaper report that one of the two Parkhead midfielders could be made available in a bid to sweeten a potential deal, as Brendan Rodgers prepares to be reunited with Hayes.
Rodgers worked alongside the 29-year-old winger when he was a teenager at English Championship outfit Reading, and is keen to bring him to Parkhead this summer.
Hayes, who has been ripping it up for Aberdeen in recent months, has just one year left to run on his current contract at Pittodrie.
He contributed a stunning 11 goals and 24 assists from 44 appearances in all competitions last season, and Rodgers views him as one of several options to improve his Celtic side in the wider areas.
Rodgers is looking for reinforcements in the position with the impressive Patrick Roberts set to return to Manchester City at the end of his loan spell in the coming weeks.
But he could be set to offer one of Celtic’s current crop, either Christie or Gary Mackay-Steven, in exchange as part of a deal to prize Hayes away from Aberdeen, just five months after he signed a contract extension.
Christie, 22, spent the second-half of the season on loan at Aberdeen, where he made 15 appearances, scoring seven goals and supplying three assists.
Mackay-Steven, meanwhile, remained part of the first-team squad at Celtic, but struggled to break into Rodgers’ plans.
The 26-year-old made just 11 appearances in all competitions, but failed to register a single goal or assist.