Carl Starfelt is reported to be on his way to joining Celtic.
With Ange Postecoglou in need of defensive reinforcements the 26-year-old Swede appears to fit the bill with a deal worked out with Russian club Rubin Kazan.
Kris Ajer has yet to feature in either of Celtic’s pre-season matches which leaves Stephen Welsh and Nir Bitton as the likely partnership to start the season.
Celtic have been linked with a number of central defenders including Ben Davies and Mario Vuscokic but shortly before 7am (CPT) Swedish title Expressen reported:
Carl Starfelt, 26, is ready for Scottish Celtic as if on a medical examination, according to information to Expressen.
The Swedish midfielder will be bought for SEK 50 million from Rubin Kazan in Russia – and all details in the agreement must be ready.
That Celtic buy Starfelt, who played for IFK Gothenburg between 2018-2019, means a jingle in the coffers for Blåvitt (former club IFK Gotaborg). The club is entitled to ten percent of the sum via the agreement entered into in connection with Starfelt’s move to the Russian league. This means that when Starfelt officially goes over, Blåvitt will receive SEK 5 million.
The currency conversion works out at around £4.3m. The race will now be on to get Starfelt to Scotland as quickly as possible although a medical could be completed in Russia or in Sweden.
Quarantine laws are a bit of a minefield but the quicker the defender gets to Scotland the sooner he can be in action.
Tuesday’s Champions League qualifier at home to Midtjylland might be a tight timetable but with the away leg on July 28 followed by the opening SPFL match away to Hearts three days later Starfelt could quickly be pushed into action provided he passes his medical.