Lagerbielke on the brink of Celtic exit

Gus Lagerbielke appears to be in the final stages of a loan move to Lecce that includes an option for the Italian side to buy in the summer.

Soon after selling Carl Starfelt to Celta Vigo Celtic turned to Elfsborg to add to their squad despite having signed Maik Nawrocki to add to their defensive options.

Lagerbielke’s time at Celtic has been full of highs and lows typified by a red card on his Champions League debut followed by a winning goal against Feyenoord as Celtic ended a six year wait to taste victory in that competition.

The emergence of Liam Scales, who partnered the Swede at Ibrox as Celtic won the September Glasgow Derby has been something of an X-Factor providing Brendan Rodgers with four options in addition to Nawrocki, Stephen Welsh and Cameron Carter-Vickers.

After less than six months at Celtic it seems that Lagerbielke is off to Italy where Lecce are sitting in 14th place in Serie A after taking just one point from their last five matches.

?? Excl: Celtic and Lecce are on the verge of completing an agreement for the transfer of CB Gustav Lagerbielke to Serie A. Full details on @DiMarzio #Celtic #CelticFC #Lecce pic.twitter.com/yooxKEiIAk

— Luca Bendoni (@LucaBendoni) January 29, 2024

Gianluca Di Marzio reports:

Lecce is about to close for a new defender: Gustaf Lagerbielke. As reported in recent weeks, there had already been a survey by the Giallorossi for the Celtic Swede. In fact, the final bureaucratic details are being sorted out and then the defender will be able to carry out the medical examinations and sign with Lecce. The operation should be concluded on loan with right of redemption. Additionally, Celtic will help pay part of the wages.

Born in 2000, he is a right-footed defender who also boasts two appearances in the Champions League this season with Celtic. D’Aversa, therefore, will have his new reinforcement in defence. He is a young player but has already made his debut with the senior Swedish national team.

On Saturday Lecce are at home to Fiornentina. Yuki Kobayashi, Celtic’s other surplus defender is reported to be interesting Real Salt Lake and FC Dallas in the LMS.