Celtic have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Hammarby defender Viktor Eriksson, with the Swedish club making it clear the 23-year-old is not for sale this summer.
It’s understood Head of Football Operations Paul Tisdale was dispatched to Belgium this week to watch Eriksson in action against Charleroi, as Celtic continue to assess centre-back options. He scored a headed goal in the last minute of the match.
But Hammarby boss Kim Hellberg moved swiftly to shut down talk of an exit, expressing pride in the player’s development and reaffirming the club’s stance.
“He’s not for sale,” Hellberg said, as quoted by RecordSport. “He has played every minute of these last four games. It is a very big moment for me too. I have worked with him for four years in Värnamo, in Hammarby now. I have seen how hard he has worked, and developed as a person and a player. I am so, so proud of him.”
Celtic’s interest in Eriksson came amid ongoing changes to the club’s defensive ranks. Gustaf Lagerbielke has joined Braga on a permanent deal, while Maik Nawrocki has headed out on loan to Hannover 96. Stephen Welsh may follow suit, with Plymouth Argyle leading the chase for the 25-year-old after a proposed permanent move to KV Mechelen collapsed.
Brendan Rodgers is poised to strengthen his options at the back with Jahmai Simpson-Pusey undergoing a medical in Glasgow ahead of his loan switch from Manchester City. But it appears any hopes of landing Eriksson have hit a dead end unless Hammarby’s stance changes before the window closes.
