Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers has played down reports linking the club with a move for Sarpsborg winger Sondre Ørjasæter during the January transfer window.

The 21-year-old Norwegian has been on Celtic’s radar for some time, with reports earlier suggesting the Scottish champions had launched an opening bid. However, when asked directly about the rumoured bid during a media conference on Tuesday, Rodgers seemed unaware of any such developments.

“I’m not aware of that, so I don’t know,” the Celtic boss said when pressed on the speculation. [STV]

It was previously reported that Celtic had been in discussions with Sarpsborg about a potential move for the Norway U21 international. The winger has reportedly caught the attention of clubs across Europe, with teams from France and Italy also monitoring his situation.

Sarpsborg’s sporting director, Hampus Andersson, has publicly stated that the club’s preference is to retain Ørjasæter until at least the end of their season, adding that the young winger remains a “highly valued player” in their squad.

While Rodgers’ comment suggests he is not personally involved in any negotiations for Ørjasæter, it is worth noting that Celtic’s recruitment process involves multiple parties, including the club’s scouting department and head of football operations. It would not be unusual for discussions to take place without the manager being involved at this stage, particularly if Celtic are still evaluating their options.