Sparta Prague winger David Moberg Karlsson has indicated that he is not considering a move away from the Czech giants amid reported interest from Celtic, while speaking to Fotboll Skanalen.
If you can’t beat them, sign them.
That appeared to be Celtic’s approach a few weeks ago, when reports emerged suggesting they wanted to snap up a 26-year-old Swede who tore Neil Lennon’s defence apart like wet tissue paper in the autumn.
Moberg Karlsson was all-but unstoppable as Sparta hammered Celtic 4-1 in both Prague and Glasgow during the Europa League group-stages.
The fleet-footed forward produced an assist in both games while, in the words of Alan Stubbs, ‘torturing’ Shane Duffy with his explosive acceleration and deadly dribbling.
And it seems that Moberg Karlsson certainly left a lasting impression on Celtic.
iSPORT claim that the Hoops would jump at the chance to bring him to Parkhead on a full-time basis, with his contract due to expire in the summer of 2022.
But Moberg Karlsson does not exactly sound like a man ready for a new adventure.
“I have a year and a half left (on my contract). It would take a lot for me to think about a move,” says the three-time international, who had forgettable spells at Sunderland and Kilmarnock earlier in his career.
“It’s not something I think about, if I’m moving on. We have a good team and have shown it in the Europa League. I hope we can qualify for the Champions League next year and do well there.
“We beat Celtic 8-2 (on aggregate) over two matches. The quality is there and it’s damn fun to play in those matches. I played two really good matches against Celtic.”
With Celtic trailing Rangers in the title-race and flopping spectacularly in the Europa League, they may face an uphill battle convincing their top targets to join over the summer.
Especially with Odsonne Edouard and Kristoffer Ajer expected to follow Olivier Ntcham, Hatem Elhamed and Jeremie Frimpong out the door.
A weekend hat-trick against Karvina took Moberg Karlsson’s tally to eight for the season.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
