Serie A club Lecce have tabled a loan offer with an option to buy for Celtic centre-back Gustaf Lagerbielke, according to Sky Sports News journalist Anthony Joseph.
Eredivisie club Heerenveen were reportedly in advanced talks to sign the Sweden international on loan on Wednesday, but now Lecce are trying to hijack that deal having been earlier linked with the Hoops star earlier in the summer and during the January transfer window.
Lagerbielke only joined Celtic last summer from Elfsborg in a £3 million deal but has failed to hold down a regular place under manager Brendan Rodgers, making just ten appearances across all competitions.
UPDATE: Lecce have made a loan with option-to-buy bid for Celtic centre-back Gustaf Lagerbielke.@SkySportsNews revealed on Wednesday that Heerenveen were in advanced talks to sign the Sweden international on loan, but now Lecce are trying to hijack that deal. https://t.co/iCmA6pogMy pic.twitter.com/bAJZ3rLRzs
— Anthony Joseph (@AnthonyRJoseph) August 23, 2024
The Scottish Premiership champions are ready to sell the 24-year-old, and it could be up to him to decide which club he wants to join between Heerenveen and Lecce.
Lagerbielke will prefer to move to where he is guaranteed a place in the starting XI as playing regularly will give him a chance to return to the national team having made an appearance this year.
Celtic are well-stocked at the back and Rodgers is willing to let the Swede go, and the Italian club could have the upper hand given the option to buy they have included in the deal.
Lagerbielke will not be the only player leaving the Parkhead club in the final seven days of the summer transfer window, with Japan international striker Kyogo Furuhashi likely to join Manchester City and Denmark international midfielder Matt O’Riley expected to return to England and link up with Brighton & Hove Albion.
Sheffield United are also holding talks to sign Celtic winger Mikey Johnston, and the Hoops are ready to sell him after he spent last term out on loan at West Bromwich Albion.
