Bids expected for £4m Celtic regular; multiple teams keen

Celtic are preparing to receive bids for defender Carl Starfelt this month as the summer transfer window crescendos.

The Scottish Sun reports there is mounting interest from several clubs in the Swedish international’s services as he weighs up his future and whether or not he wants to leave the Bhoys.

The 28-year-old has been a stalwart of the successes over the last two seasons, making 86 appearances in all competitions since signing from Russian side Rubin Kazan for £4m in 2021.

He has two years left on his contract at Celtic Park so it would take a sizable bid to pry him from Celtic, but perhaps not beyond the kind of money that resulted in Josip Juranovic’s switch to Union Berlin given his age and profile.

Last month, it was reported by Football Scotland that Spartak Moscow were keen on bringing him back to the Russian Premier League, but that would be a strange move for him considering everything going on over there and the fact that they still cannot compete in UEFA competitions.

Starfelt has gone on the record saying how happy he is to work under Brendan Rodgers so it doesn’t seem a guarantee he’ll be heading to pastures new even if bids are received. Celtic may rebuff any advances, too.

Celtic have signed Maik Nawrocki already this summer in the central defensive position but that was seen as a need even with Starfelt in the building. If the Swede does go, the Bhoys will need to be on the hunt for another quality centre-back.

Cameron Carter-Vickers has returned from injury but beyond him, there are only untested or unproven players providing depth such as Liam Scales, Yuki Kobayashi and Stephen Welsh. It’s important that Celtic have the personnel in place for a long, difficult season.