Celtic agree deal for Aberdeen's Jonny Hayes
Celtic have agreed a £1.3million deal with Aberdeen to make Jonny Hayes their first summer signing.
As part of the agreement, the Parkhead club will send Ryan Christie back to Pittodrie on a season-long loan following a similar spell last term.
Hayes has been on holiday following the conclusion of international duty with the Republic of Ireland, but will now head to Glasgow for a medical and discussions over personal terms.
Celtic have agreed a £1.3m deal with Aberdeen to make Jonny Hayes their first summer signing
Providing there are no unforeseen hitches, the transfer could be confirmed within the next 48 hours.
Sportsmail first reported Brendan Rodgers’ interest on May 29, with Celtic making their move later that week.
Aberdeen, set to lose manager Derek McInnes to Sunderland before the weekend, had initially wanted to sign Christie on a permanent basis. That was rejected by Celtic and the situation was further complicated by rival interest in Hayes from Cardiff City, Birmingham City and Nottingham Forest.
However, the 29-year-old was always keen to move to Parkhead and work again with Rodgers, his manager when a young academy player at Reading.
Hayes impressed throughout last season and was the only non-Celtic player to feature on a four-man shortlist for PFA Scotland Player of the Year.
Hayes scored 11 times to help Aberdeen finish second in Scottish Premiership last season
Rodgers is understood to also be seeking a central defender and a midfielder before the start of Champions League qualifiers in mid-July.
Parkhead sources have, however, dismissed a claim from former Tottenham defender Reto Ziegler — out of contract at Swiss side Sion — that he had been approached over a move.
Retaining key talents is another summer priority, with Celtic thought to be relaxed about Stuart Armstong’s contract situation. The Scotland midfielder, entering the final 12 months of his existing deal, is on holiday but has stated he expects to resume talks soon.
Celtic have also beaten off competition from Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester United to land Irish superkid Barry Coffey on a three-year contract.
The 16-year-old playmaker played for Chelsea last year in a youth tournament in Rotterdam and had been offered trials by both Manchester clubs.