Lagerbielke latest – Genoa move looks more likely

It was reported yesterday by Sky Sports reporter Gianluca Di Marzio that fellow Serie A side Lecce had approached Celtic about taking the Swedish international on loan.

However, according to Di Marzio, there would be significant cost attached for the Italians which may prevent any deal happening. Lagerbielke has endured an indifferent time in Glasgow since joining the club for £3 million in the summer.

The Swede has made nine appearances in total, including two eventful Champions league ties against Feyenoord. Many fans believed his winner in the home tie against the Dutch Champions would help kickstart his career in the East End of Glasgow, but that hasn’t been the case.

The 23-year-old has made just one matchday squad out of five since that 2-1 victory over Feyenoord, where he played 27 minutes as Celtic beat St Mirren 3-0 last Tuesday.

Lagerbielke, who won 2023 Swedish Defender of the year in the Allvenskan, is a player who has split opinion among the Celtic fanbase this season. The Swedish international has had moments of promise this season, such as his performance in the 1-0 victory at Ibrox in the first Glasgow Derby of the season back in early September.

However, he is a player who lacks the key attributes to be a Celtic centre-half. A lack of pace, along with a poor short passing game hinders his ability to play in a Brendan Rodgers/ Celtic system with the unlikely emergence of Liam Scales this season adding to the manager’s calculation that the Swedish defender is surplus to his immediate requirements.

A loan move to the Italian top flight could be an excellent move for Lagerbielke, with a more pragmatic football culture along with a lower intensity of play providing a suitable environment for his defensive attributes.

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