Left-field Russian offer on the way for Celtic defender

Spartak Moscow are reported to be about to make an offer for Carl Starfelt.

The defender is halfway through a four year contract with Celtic after being signed from Rubin Kazan very early in Ange Postecoglou’s reign as manager.

Russian football and life is very different compared to the scene that Starfelt moved to in July 2019 from IFK Gothenburg.

Brendan Rodgers is currently in the process of strengthening the Celtic defence by signing Maik Nawrocki from Legia Warsaw, with Cameron Carter-Vickers still out injured it is hard to see him entertaining an offer for the other half of the successful defensive partnership of the last two seasons.

Football Scotland reports:

Spartak Moscow are preparing an offer for Carl Starfelt this summer, Football Scotland can reveal.

The central-defender, 28, is on the Russian outfit’s list of transfer targets this season with manager Guille Abascal keen to add the international pedigree to his squad. Spartak have a relatively young backline with starting defenders Ruslan Litvinov and Alexis Duarte only 21 and 23-years-old respectively.

Starfelt would provide a stability in their defence and Football Scotland understands they are ready to approach the Hoops with their first bid in the coming days.

With Russian clubs banned from UEFA competitions and the economy bleak it is difficult to see much attraction in moving to Moscow unless there are Saudi levels of money on offer.

Another complication is that his partner (personal, not footballing), Jacynta has left Celtic for Sporting Lisbon, a transfer out of Celtic can’t be ruled out but a move to Spain or Portugal would seem more likely that to Moscow.