Celtic loanee Gustaf Lagerbielke has reportedly been priced out of a permanent move to FC Twente in the summer by the Hoops, according to Twente technical director Arnold Bruggink.
The 25-year-old defender has impressed during his loan at Twente this season, becoming a regular starter. However, according to Twente’s technical director, Arnold Bruggink, the price Celtic are asking for is too high for the Dutch club to afford.
Lagerbielke has impressed during his loan spell at FC Twente, starting in most of their games and even scoring for the Dutch side in the Europa League. Twente managed to reach the knockout playoffs before being knocked out by Bodo/Glimt in extra time, with Bodo/Glimt now in the semifinals.
Twente, currently sitting fifth in the Eredivisie, have shown interest in making Lagerbielke’s move permanent. However, it is unclear if Celtic are asking for the £3 million they paid for him in 2023, or if they are asking for a different amount. Twente’s technical director, Bruggink, has not revealed exactly what Celtic are demanding, but he has made it clear that the price is currently too high for them to afford.
He said: (Glasgow Times), “In this case, we are dependent on what Celtic want. They are asking for quite a bit of money.
“He is a very stable defender. We would like to make the deal permanent, but I think it is not very realistic at the moment.”
Lagerbielke’s performances have impressed Twente, however, they are set to face competition, with Celtic hoping for a bidding war in the summer for a player deemed surplus to requirements by Brendan Rodgers.
However, the high asking price from Celtic seems to be a barrier. Lagerbielke still has three years left on his contract at Celtic, and the Hoops clearly value him highly. If Twente can’t reach an agreement, it’s possible that other clubs across Europe may show interest in signing him, with Lagerbielke eager to stay in the Eredivisie.
It remains to be seen what will happen when his loan ends, but Lagerbielke’s future at Celtic is still uncertain. His time at Twente has given him a good opportunity to prove himself, and his performances could open up more options for him in the summer.
