Italian side Lecce want to take advantage of Celtic’s desire to ‘thin out’ their squad in the January transfer window and secure defender Gustaf Lagerbielke.
That’s according to Gazzetta dello Sport, who say they Serie A club are trying to shore up three departments and central defence is one of them.
The newspaper explains that the club are probing the ‘obstacle-ridden track’ in front of them that leads to Lagerbielke.
He’s currently at Celtic after joining them in a €3.4m deal from Elfsborg in August last year but has only managed six appearances in the league this season and 22% of the available minutes.
Celtic are now keen to ‘thin out the defensive department’ this month and so he could be allowed to leave, something Lecce want to take advantage of.
Negotiations for the 23-year-old are likely to be difficult, though, as his overall cost and high salary are tough for them to meet at this moment in time.
They would prefer a loan with a right to buy included but that would have to include Celtic ‘contributing heavily’ to the player’s salary. Whether Brendan Rodgers’ side would be happy to do that isn’t made clear but it’s not the most enticing offer.
Either way, Lecce are keen and working to try and get a deal done this month and Celtic are open to a departure if things can be worked out.
