Malmo are preparing to make their move for Mikael Lustig.
The defender is out of contract next month with no deal on the table to extend his seven year Celtic stay.
Despite the introductions of Cristian Gamboa, Tony Ralston and Jeremy Toljan the Swede remains Celtic’s first choice right-back but could be preparing for his farewell appearance at Hampden on Saturday.
The Sun reports:
MALMO are willing to make Mikael Lustig one of Sweden’s top earners after launching a move for the Celtic defender.
SunSport understands the Allsvenskan giants have offered a bumper deal to the Hoops veteran. Lustig, 32, is out of contract after Saturday’s Scottish Cup final and is free to talk to other clubs now.
AIK Stockholm are also keen on the Sweden right-back but Malmo’s deal is better than their rivals.
Lustig could yet stay at Celtic for another 12 months – if Neil Lennon gets the Parkhead job permanently but the long-serving defender has no shortage of options as he prepares to decide on his future.
Celtic have had an option to extend Lustig’s current deal by 12 months on his current terms but haven’t activated that clause.
Neil Lennon signed the defender on a free transfer from Rosenborg in January 2012, after a shaky start he quickly established himself as Celtic dominated Scottish football.
Lustig has remained a regular in the Swedish national side, appearing at World Cup’s and European Championship’s as a Celtic player.
In 2016 it looked like his Celtic days were over but under Brendan Rodgers and with competition from Gamboa he turned in his best ever season highlighted by a brilliant ‘Messi-type’ solo goal at Ibrox in a 5-1 victory.
Master of the disadvantage rule, so many dubious performances and decisions. Soon appearing on the after dinner curcuit #somelaugh https://t.co/YfMNy0P908
— Joe McHugh (@videocelts) May 22, 2019
