Celtic defender Carl Starfelt is a target for a number of clubs across the continent, according to reports.

The Swedish international defender, 27, has been a consistent presence in Celtic’s defensive backline this season, making 32 appearances in all competitions for the Glasgow side.

In a report for Sky Sports, journalist Anthony Joseph has claimed that Starfelt has many suitors chasing his signature this summer. He said: “A number of clubs from the English Premier League and across Europe are interested in Carl Starfelt.

“His current deal expires in the summer of 2025 and if they do decide to sell, they have a replacement already in Yuki Kobayashi, who was signed from Vissel Kobe in January.”

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Starfelt arrived in Scotland in the summer 2021 transfer window, for a reported fee of £4.3million from Russian Premier League side Rubin Kazan. This was directly following the high-profile departure of Kristoffer Ajer to Brentford.

Starfelt and defensive partner Cameron Carter-Vickers have been instrumental in Celtic’s successes both this season and the previous campaign, with the latter now out until the start of next season after undergoing a procedural knee operation following last month’s Scottish Cup semi-final victory against Rangers.

He will now be playing in his preferred position on the left-hand side of central defence, a position usually taken up by Carter-Vickers. This gives left-footed Kobayashi a chance to play on his preferred side too, as he looks to establish himself in Postecoglou’s first-team plans in the remaining games of this season and beyond.

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