Christopher Jullien Celtic exit 'collapses' as Schalke personal terms lead Hoops back to transfer drawing board

The Frenchman was all set to leave the Hoops it seemed for a move to German side Schalke but it now looks off.

Celtic are reportedly seeking out a new exit plan for defender Christopher Jullien after his proposed move to Bundesliga side Schalke fell through.

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 but it was known he was over in 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 Premiership match against Dundee United in January 2021. Transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has revealed that there has been "no agreement" between the Frenchman and Schalke after the medical tests conducted on Wednesday. It's said he is already back in Glasgow to sort his future.

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Celtic will now negotiate with other clubs to find a solution. The centre-back's future is still unlikely to lie at Parkhead. Since returning from injury, the 2019 League Cup final goalscorer has hardly kicked a ball in anger. His minutes have largely come for the youth teams at Parkhead.

Boss Ange Postecoglou had already started drawing up replacement targets, including Schalke's Malick Thiaw, according to reports. Signing news has arrived for Hoops fans with left-back Alexandro Bernabei officially moving to Glasgow from Lanus. Jota's permanent return from Benfica is also expected.