It is almost impossible to keep up with Celtic right now. Every day, they seem to be linked with a new player or making progress on either a signing or a departure. Right now, it looks like the Hoops are closing in on two moves. One of them is the arrival of Hayato Inamura from Albirex Niigata. The other is an exit.
There are plenty of players who could end up leaving Celtic this summer, whether in search of playing time or a step up. We have already seen Scott Bain, Greg Taylor and Daniel Cummings leave. Now, it looks like another one is getting close to completion.
On one hand, Celtic are close to strengthening their centre-back ranks by signing Inamura. On the other hand, they are set to see one of their current centre-backs leave.
As reported by Anthony Joseph, SC Braga are close to agreeing a deal worth £2 million with Celtic for Gustaf Lagerbielke. It’s understood that the Sweden international is keen, and the Portuguese club hope to have him travel over for a medical later this week.
Anthony Joseph drops major Celtic transfer news as exit close
Lagerbielke was signed in the summer of 2023 from IF Elfsborg for a transfer fee believed to be in the region of £3 million. Unfortunately, it has never really worked out for him at Celtic.
He spent the previous season out on loan at FC Twente. He made a bright start there but his form faded away over the course of the campaign. But it looks like he did enough to convince SC Braga to make a move for him.
Lagerbielke did not play much for Celtic but he does have some highlight moments under his belt. The top one has to be his winner in the Champions League against Feyenoord. Another was keeping a clean sheet against the Rangers away at Ibrox.