Celtic are set to make an opening bid for Rubin Kazan centre-back Carl Starfelt, according to the Guardian‘s Fabrizio Romano.
The reliable Italian journalist reports that discussions are already underway to sign the Swedish international, who is being lined up to replace Kristoffer Ajer:
Celtic are in direct contact to negotiate personal terms with Swedish centre back Carl Starfelt as potential Ajer replacement. Opening bid set to be made to Rubin Kazan and talks now started. ⚪️? #Celtic #RubinKazan
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 6, 2021
Supporters on Twitter have broadly welcomed the news, although some are concerned that he is behind Rangers’ Filip Helander in the pecking order for his country:
Alarm bells if Helander plays ahead of him ffs ?♂️
— Lee Johnston (@LEEJ2607) July 6, 2021
Will gladly take him 🙂
— Fân øf Vâlëntínà?????????? (@Fanofvalentina3) July 6, 2021
He never played a minute in the euros Helander player in 2 games so can’t get over excited
— tb (@tamba67) July 6, 2021
Here we goooo?
— Billy Latto (@BillyLatto) July 6, 2021
This has me worried about the vuskovic deal
— Kyle (@HKyle30) July 6, 2021
I know we'r needing some faces in but if we sign every1 we'r rumoured to be after we'l hav abt 4 players for every position
— Paul Murray (@muzzo1982) July 6, 2021
To be honest, most fans will be happy with any player coming in through the door to strengthen Ange Postecoglou’s squad ahead of the Champions League qualifiers.
The centre-back area is of particular concern, not only because of Ajer’s possible departure but because neither Shane Duffy nor Hatem Abd Elhamed have been replaced either.
Postecoglou has hardly any fit centre-backs to choose from, with Christopher Jullien recovering from a knee injury. It means Stephen Welsh and Nir Bitton are the only other options available to the manager currently so the addition of Starfelt would be extremely important.
