Celtic transfer news bulletin as Carl Starfelt offer 'welcomed' by Celta Vigo and Liverpool name Caoimhin Kelleher price
Brendan Rodgers is preparing his squad for the Champions League group stage but has yet to make his first signing this summer.
Defender Carl Starfelt looks set to leave Celta Vigo - with speculation ramping up over a potential return to Celtic just 12 months after leaving Parkhead.
The centre-back brought a two-year spell in the Scottish Premiership to an end last summer when he signed a four-year deal with the La Liga outfit, but he faces an uncertain future at the club after Rafa Benitez - who brought the Swedish international to the club - was shown the door last season amid the relegation scrap. The former Liverpool boss was replaced by Claudio Giraldez - with Spanish outlet AS claiming Starfelt is "not included in the plans" of the manager who "wants a different type of centre-back."
It is claimed that Celta are "welcoming offers" and "prepared to listen to bids for Starfelt" to free up cash for a recruitment drive - having splashed £5million on the 29-year-old last summer. That has escalated chat among the Hoops' support of a potential return.
The social media rumour appears to stem from chat surrounding the future of Gustaf Lagerbielke - with Starfelt and the Celtic misfit sharing the same agent. It appears Blash Hosseini will be looking to find a new home for the 29-year--old and could navigate a route back to Celtic Park - while sealing Lagerbielke's departure.
Speaking of Lagerbielke, La Gazzetta dello Sport claim that the defender is on Lecce's shortlist of defensive options this summer. Having held an interest in the 23-year-old in January, it is stated that the Serie A side want either Estrela da Amadora man Kialonda Gaspar or Lagerbielke to bolster their rearguard.
While there could be changes at the heart of the Scottish champions backline, a new goalkeeper is essential this summer. One man who could be ticked off the wishlist is Caoimhin Kelleher. The Hoops' have been long-term admirers of the Ireland international - and the goalkeeper has made it clear he wants to become a No. 1 next season even if means leaving Liverpool.
But the English Premier League giants appear in no rush to sell. The Athletic state that the Anfield side are "not in a position that they need to sell" Alisson's understudy and will "only consider offers of £25million and above because there are few better backup goalkeepers in Europe."