Director admits Celtic ‘interest’ in his player but £3m deal not imminent

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Elfsborg director Stefan Andreasson has confirmed Celtic’s ‘interest’ in Gustaf Lagerbielke amid reports suggesting the Scottish Premiership champions have submitted a £3 million offer for the Carl Starfelt replacement. 

With one Swedish centre-half on his way out of Parkhead, it seems that another will be taking his place.

According to Expressen, Celtic have submitted a £3 million bid for Gustaf Lagerbielke. One which, if accepted, will make the one-time Sweden international the most expensive export in Elfsborg’s entire history.  

Speaking to Fotbolskanalen, the club’s sporting director confirms that Celtic do have an ‘interest’ in his prized asset. But, as things stand, there is currently no talks ongoing between the two clubs; Celtic potentially waiting for Carl Starfelt’s move to Celta Vigo to become official before stepping up their pursuit of his successor. 

Celtic make bid for Gustaf Lagerbielke

“We have had a dialogue in this case. There is an interest, yes. But we are not in a negotiation,” Andreasson explains. 

“Then, the club must move from interest to acting powerfully concretely. We are not there right now.”

Stockholm-born Lagerbielke would add further depth to Brendan Rodgers’ backline; Starfelt’s likely departure already offset by the arrival of Maik Nawrocki from Polish football. 

Nawrocki impressed, specifically with regards to his passing range, during Saturday’s 4-2 opening day victory over Ross County.

Andreasson, meanwhile, insists that Lagerbielke will probably be allowed to leave, albeit for the right price. Whether Celtic’s £3 million is enough to do the trick, time will tell. 
 
“We are always positive that players can go for the right price,” he adds. “Many players want to leave Sweden. So we have dialogue when there is a good time for it.  

“Sometimes, when we don’t think the bid is good enough, we might say no. It might take a while, and then something better might come along, and then players might still be happy.

“We know roughly what a transfer would mean for some players. We’ve got a dialogue with the players and their representatives. We have that with multiple players now. Partly with Gustaf, partly with several others.  

“These are pleasant problems.”