Gustaf Lagerbielke Celtic transfer exit 'not a done deal'

Ferry de Haan, chief executive at the Dutch club, has admitted there is still work to be done before the loan switch can be finalised - amid interest from KV Mechelen.

Reports on Tuesday emerged over a loan switch to the Eredivisie for Lagerbielke as he seeks game time.

The Swedish centre back, 24, played just 10 times for Celtic last season after joining the club on a long-term deal from IF Elfsborg.

Now, it appears Lagerbielke could be shipped out on loan to develop with Cameron Carter-Vickers and Liam Scales the preferred partnership in defence.

Stephen Welsh is also ahead of Lagerbielke in the pecking order with Maik Nawrocki also on the books at Parkhead.

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De Haan has confirmed there is interest from Heerenveen in striking a loan deal and remains hopeful over an agreement but ruled out the suggestion it is all but done.

He told Leeuwarder Courant: “It is not a done deal yet, but we are hopeful that it will work out.

“With Pawel Bochniewicz and Sam Kersten, we now have two central defenders.

“Mateja Milovanovic is still behind them but needs some time.

“We want to have a good line-up in the centre of defence.”

Lagerbielke - who has been capped for Sweden on two occasions - is under contract at Celtic until 2028.