Christopher Jullien in fresh Celtic transfer twist as defiant Schalke director claims the deal has not collapsed

Celtic misfit Christopher Jullien could still move to Schalke this summer after the club's sporting director insisted a deal was not off the table.

The 29-year-old reported for the first day of pre-season training at Lennoxtown on Monday with his future still unclear but a post emerged on his social media hinting he was on a plane out of Scotland. That was swiftly deleted quickly became clear that he was jetting to Germany to talk with the recently promoted top tier side over bringing his three-year Hoops stint to a close.

Jullien has spent much of the last 18 months injured after colliding with the post in a league clash against Dundee United in January 2021, and after just one appearance under Ange Postecoglou looked to be bringing the curtain down on his time in Glasgow's east end. However, after passing a medical he failed to agree personal terms over a loan move to the Bundesliga side.

While the deal appeared to have collapsed, Schalke sporting director Rouven Schroder insists there is still a chance he could be playing his football in Ruhr next season. While Jullien has rejoined the Celtic squad for a pre-season tour of Austria, he insists talks remain ongoing.

Schroder told German outlet WAZ : “There are moments when we have to say no. But it carries on.

"Christopher is back training at Celtic. A great player. We’ll continue working here. Let’s see what happens.”

Carl Starfelt and Cameron Carter-Vickers have emerged as the first-choice centre-back pairing at Parkhead, with Stephen Welsh and Jullien acting as back-up. The Premiership champions are expected to bring in another centre-back before the window closes.

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