Southampton to launch £10m bid for Celtic midfielder Stuart Armstrong

The Scotland midfielder is out of contract with the Parkhead club at the end of the 2017/18 campaign and has still to agree to an extension.

Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers revealed this week that talks with Armstrong about a new deal had been placed on hold at the end of last term.

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Rodgers stressed he is keen to keep the 25-year-old, who was a key member of the side that went undefeated last season and won the Treble, beyond the end of the forthcoming campaign.

Shortlisted for the PFA Scotland player of the year award, Armstrong’s value has escalated after a strong domestic campaign and international recognition.

The Scottish champions have already commanded substantial sums from Southampton following the sales of Victor Wanyama, Fraser Forster and defender Virgil van Dijk.

Ironically, the Parkhead club will command a sell-on fee of between £5million and £7million if, as expected, Dutchman van Dijk moves to Liverpool, Manchester City or Chelsea this summer.

Meanwhile, former Wolves manager Dean Saunders reckons Celtic striker Leigh Griffiths would score 20 goals if he was playing in the English Premier League.

Saunders worked with the Scotland star at Molineux during the 2012/13 campaign and is adamant the player would be a success in the top flight south of the border.

Griffiths, who has been linked with Newcastle and West Brom, scored 18 goals in 38 appearances for treble winners Celtic last season despite playing second fiddle to Moussa Dembele.

The former Hibs and Dundee marksman then notched two stunning free-kicks in last month’s 2-2 World Cup qualifying draw with England at Hampden.

Saunders said: “He scores goals and goalscorers win you games.

“If Leigh Griffiths played for you, he’d get you 20 goals. 

“Premier League clubs are obviously looking at what league he’s playing in.”