Italian report blames Carter-Vickers injury blow forced Celtic to block Lagerbielke exit

A report from Italy has claimed that Celtic pulled the brakes on Gus Lagerbielke’s move to Lecce because of injury concerns over Cameron Carter-Vickers.

It seems that the Swedish defender was very close to signing off on a loan deal to take him to Serie A when Celtic had a late change of heart.

Despite his £3m fee in August and the exit of Nat Phillips back to Liverpool Lagerbielke has found himself relegated to fifth choice central defender, failing to make the substitute bench in the two matches since the end of the winter break.

Carter-Vickers would be the first choice defender for Brendan Rodgers but after a month out of action it seems that the former Spurs man has suffered a reaction to his appearance against Dundee on Saturday.

Detailing today’s developments, Football Italia reports:

Just as Gustaf Lagerbielke was all set to join Lecce, Sky Sport Italia expert Gianluca Di Marzio reports Celtic pulled the plug on the deal when paperwork was being exchanged.

It was going to be a loan move with option to buy at the end of the season and he was expected to fly in for a medical tomorrow.

However, this evening Di Marzio maintains Celtic got cold feet because they are concerned that first choice defender Cameron Carter-Vickers could be out injured for longer than previously believed.

It was truly last minute, as the contracts were being exchanged when Celtic slammed the brakes.

After missing pre season training as he recovered from knee surgery Carter-Vickers had three spells out injured.

Celtic are unlikely to comment on reports of another injury until Rodgers holds his pre-match media conferences to preview Saturday’s match at Aberdeen.

Translation: @OfficialUSLecce negotiation was blocked during the exchange of documents:

@CelticFC no longer wants to loan him after #CarterVickers ‘s injury. @SkySport #calciomercato