Dortmund have just helped Celtic sign an ‘outstanding’ £3m player

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Celtic are closing in on the £3 million signing of Gustaf Lagerbielke and Brendan Rodgers may have just been handed a further boost by Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund. 

According to Expressen, it may be only a matter of time before Elfsburg’s Sweden international is arriving at Parkhead to fill a void created by the departure of his compatriot Carl Starfelt. 

Starfelt left Celtic for Spanish-based near-namesakes Celta Vigo in midweek. Thus, opening the door for 23-year-old Gustaf Lagerbielke to arrive in his place. 

A physically imposing and technically gifted central defender, Celtic have agreed a £3 million fee which makes Lagerbielke the most expensive export in Elfsborg’s history. He is likely to undergo a medical in Glasgow in the coming days.

And, in a further boost to Rodgers’ plans, Celtic appear to have dodged a battle with the Belgian champions.

Celtic close in on Gustaf Lagerbielke

Royal Antwerp wanted Lagerbielke too. That was, however, until Soumaila Coulibaly joined Mark van Bommel’s side from Borussia Dortmund on Friday night instead. 

After a move to Burnley fell through, Dortmund have allowed the 19-year-old Frenchman to join a Royal Antwerp side who secured their first Jupiler League title since 1957 last term. Coulibaly, who arrives on loan with a £10 million option-to-buy clause in his contract, could form a new-look defensive partnership with veteran Toby Alderweireld at the Bosuilstadion.

Celtic’s pursuit of Lagerbielke, then, may have just got that little bit more straightforward. 

“It’s great fun when such a big club is interested,” the ‘outstanding’ Lagerbielke told the Goteborgs Posten a few days ago.  

“Yes, all players in the (Swedish) Allsvenskan dream of going to better leagues; playing in the Champions League and for big clubs. 

“(Celtic) play in both the Champions League and are a very big club. It is clear that (moving there) would be very interesting. It is a big club with a lot of supporters and titles. It’s not often they buy from the Allsvenskan, and you don’t know how many such chances you get.”