Celtic FC: Gustaf Lagerbielke’s ‘exorbitant’ wage is unvealed as the loan deal to Lecce collapses
In a recent turn of events, Lecce’s executive Pantaleo Corvino has disclosed the hefty salary expectations of Gustaf Lagerbielke that ultimately led to the collapse of his potential move to Serie A. The Swedish defender, who was acquired by Celtic for approximately £3 million from Elfsborg, has struggled to secure a regular spot in Brendan Rodgers’ lineup and has often been left out of the matchday squad.
Lagerbielke had been on the verge of joining Lecce on loan when an injury concern regarding Cameron Carter-Vickers caused Celtic to reconsider. Despite Lagerbielke’s public efforts to facilitate the transfer, Corvino indicated that Lecce found his financial demands too steep, with a reported annual wage of €800,000 (around £685,000).
Corvino stated, “We appreciated his desire to come to Lecce. This summer we were interested, but we couldn’t keep up with the exorbitant demands.” He further elaborated that before Lagerbielke expressed discomfort at Celtic and sought a move, Lecce had already evaluated their defensive options and felt content with players like Marin Pongracic and Federico Baschirotto among others.
This revelation sheds light on the complexities behind football transfers where not only player performance but also financial negotiations play crucial roles. It remains to be seen how this development will affect Lagerbielke’s future at Celtic and whether he can fight his way back into contention under Rodgers’ management.