Celtic have opened talks over a £4million move for Rubin Kazan defender Carl Starfelt.
The Swedish stopper is in Ange Postecoglou ’s sights and could be a potential replacement for wantaway Kristoffer Ajer.
Record Sport exclusively revealed this week how Norwich City were preparing a £12m move for Ajer who admitted earlier in the summer that he wanted to move on with his contract in its final year.
Now Starfelt has emerged as a top target with negotiations already well under way according to sources in Sweden.
Postecoglou, whose side take on Sheffield Wednesday in their first pre-season friendly this afternoon, is well aware of the need to rebuild his defence and has already welcomed Liam Shaw and Osaze Urhoghide to Parkhead.
Starfelt fits the profile of what Celtic are after. The 6ft 1in stopper has been capped three times by his country although missed out on a place in his country’s Euro 2020 squad.
After coming through the ranks at IF Brommapojkarna he moved on to IFK Gothenburg in 2018 and a year later joined Russian side Rubin Kazan.
The 26-year-old made 29 appearances last season and scored three times as he helped the side to a fourth-place finish in the Russian Premier League.
Starfelt still has three years left on his contract and Kazan are understood to be looking for a fee in excess of £4m.
Celtic have also been linked with a move for out of contract West Brom forward Kyle Edwards.
The 23-year-old was on Neil Lennon’s radar in January and could now move to Parkhead for nothing after the Baggies opted against renewing his contract last month.
The former England U20 cap has scored four times in 49 appearances across six years for the relegated Birmingham side after coming right through their youth system.
Postecoglou’s squad stepped up their preparations at their Newport base yesterday with transfer-linked Ajer, Odsonne Edouard and Olivier Ntcham all taking part.
Tom Rogic was seen putting in an extra shift at the end of the morning session as he looks to get off to a flier under his compatriot and will be hoping for minutes in this afternoon’s clash with the Owls which kicks off at 3pm.
