GUSTAF LAGERBIELKE is on the brink of leaving Celtic, according to reports.
Brendan Rodgers has been keen to move the summer signing on, hoping to kick start a January clear out from early in the month.
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That hasn’t materialised, but interest has remained in the defender in the form of three Serie A clubs.
Lecce and Genoa were linked with the centre-back and were soon followed by Hellas Verona.
Now, according to Italian transfer expert Gianluca DiMarzo, the 23-year-old is due to undergo a medical with Lecce as he enters the final stages of a negotiations with the Puglia-based club.
It’s said that Lagerbielke’s exit will only be on loan though, rather than permanently.
And Celtic will also cover some of the player’s wages.
Lagerbielke has made just nine total appearances for Celtic this season since arriving from Elfsborg.
He was particularly shaky in the first Old Firm match of the campaign, almost gifting Rangers a goal, and has struggled to force his way back into the starting XI ever since.
The Swede has fallen behind Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales and Maik Nawrocki in the pecking order.
In terms of other outgoings, Yuki Kobayashi could soon be on his way to MLS with FC Dallas and Real Salt Lake looking at the 23-year-old who signed last year.
The only player who has officially left so far however is Kwon Hyeok-kyu, who joined St Mirren on loan on January 13.
The 22-year-old had barely played since putting pen to paper on a five-year deal this summer.
Meanwhile, Celtic goalkeeper Joe Hart has called for unity amid boos for the team from the stands at Parkhead.
Hart said: “We’d obviously have liked to score more goals and played with a bit more fluidity, but it wasn’t to be.
“But ultimately, on a day where we weren’t over-satisfied, we still got the three points.
“Obviously I can feel it on the park and I’ve been part of many emotional situations, but as players we just keep our focus and keep playing.
“We keep calm, we’re a team who stick together.
“Sometimes it’s just not meant to be.”
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