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Southampton target signs new two-year Celtic deal

By Chris Hughes

GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - JULY 26: Stuart Armstrong of Celtic holds his head as another Celtic Chance is missed during the UEFA Champions League Qualifying Third Round,First Leg match between Celtic and Rosenborg at Celtic Park Stadium on July 26, 2017 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images)
GLASGOW, SCOTLAND - JULY 26: Stuart Armstrong of Celtic holds his head as another Celtic Chance is missed during the UEFA Champions League Qualifying Third Round,First Leg match between Celtic and Rosenborg at Celtic Park Stadium on July 26, 2017 in Glasgow, Scotland. (Photo by Steve Welsh/Getty Images) /
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One of Southampton’s many transfer targets has penned a new contract today, ending speculation of a move to the Saints.

Stuart Armstrong has been linked with the Saints in the past, but today he has agreed a new two-year in Scotland.

Last season the midfielder scored 17 goals in all competitions, sparking interest from Premier League clubs; among those Southampton.

The Scotsman had entered his final year of his contract at the start of the July, meaning the Saints were reportedly testing the water with bids as low as £3 million.

Celtic valued Armstrong much higher – near the £12 million mark – but with the former Dundee United man potentially available for free next summer Saints weren’t keen to pay such a fee.

BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND – JULY 14: Stuart Armstrong (R) of Celtic and Mark Stafford (L) of Linfield during the Champions League second round first leg qualifying game between Linfield and Celtic at Windsor Park on July 14, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)
BELFAST, NORTHERN IRELAND – JULY 14: Stuart Armstrong (R) of Celtic and Mark Stafford (L) of Linfield during the Champions League second round first leg qualifying game between Linfield and Celtic at Windsor Park on July 14, 2017 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images) /

Southampton have regularly plucked talent from Scotland’s elite since returning to the Premier League, with Fraser Forster, Victor Wanyama, Steven Davis and the infamous Virgil van Dijk joining from the Scottish Premiership.

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However a deal for Armstrong in the future wouldn’t be off the cards, with the 25-year-old only committing an extra year to the club than he had originally.

Mario Lemina’s arrival had cooled off speculation surrounding a move for the Celtic man, but if he can repeat his goal-scoring feats again this season a move next summer could be viable.

Armstrong has started the season with just one goal in six appearances however, having already featured in four Champions League qualifiers for the Bhoys. However the midfielder has always struggled in Europe, having scored just twice in 26 games since joining in 2014.

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