Winger Sead Haksabanovic is edging closer to a permanent move to Celtic from Rubin Kazan as his former club Djurgardens appeared to give up their ambitious pursuit.
Ange Postecoglou has moved the versatile forward to the top of his wishlist as he looks set to leave the Russian side after the invasion of Ukraine, having spent six months on loan in Sweden. It's understood the Montenegro international is keen on a switch to Parkhead and now a deal is said to be agreed to take him to Scotland. The 23-year-old joined Kazan last summer in a £5.4m transfer but Record Sport understands Celtic will to pay less than that fee.
Haksabanovic, who was born in Sweden, was loaned to Djurgardens this year due to FIFA regulations regarding temporary contract suspensions after the conflict started in Ukraine. He had been seen training with Djurgardens having failed to return to Rubin following his loan spell as he searched for a club outside of Russia.
Having made 11 appearances in Allsvenskan and helping the club to third in the table, director Bosse Andersson hoped another loan could be secured for the player earlier this summer. However, a Swedish report has stated an agreement over a move to the Scottish Premiership champions is imminent.
Andersson appears to have given up hopes of a return to Stockholm when asked if there was any chance transfer at this stage of the window by Fotboll Skanalen . He bluntly responded: “There is interest from Celtic, that’s what I know."
Rubin general director Rustem Saimanov has already admitted the club are willing to let Haksabanovic and Danish midfielder Oliver Abildgaard leave in this window.
Saimanov said: "We are in talks with both of them - of course, they both want to leave. But we aren't letting them go for nothing because we want some money for them."
READ NEXT
