Celtic transfer target Gustaf Lagerbielke has admitted it is an "honour" to be linked with a move to Parkhead.

The defender, 23, last night emerged as a possible target for Celtic to replace the outgoing Carl Starfelt.

Elfsborg chief Stefan Andreasson had last night confirmed talks with Celtic.

Lagerbielke has now opened up on the interest with a possible move on the cards.

He told bt.se: "It's an honour.

"It's an awesome journey and I'm very proud of it."

Lagerbielke - who has played once for the Swedish national team - previously turned out for Sollentuna FK, Vasteras SK, Degerfors IF and Djursholm under-19.

Now, Elfsborg are hopeful of landing a significant transfer fee for the defender who has 18 months left on his current contract.

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Discussing the Celtic interest in the defender, Andreasson said: "We have had a dialogue in this case. There is an interest, yes.

"But we are not in a negotiation. Then the club must move from interest to acting powerfully and concretely. We are not there right now.

"The trade-off is, as always, in the summer window. We have managed to have healthy conversations with our players.

"The most important thing is the club and the situation we are in. We are always positive that players can go for the right price.

"Many players want to leave Sweden. So we have dialogues when there is a good time for it.

"Sometimes, when we don't think the bid is good enough, we might say no, and then it might take a while, and then something better might come along, and then players might still be happy. We know roughly what it would mean for a transfer for some players.

"We have a dialogue with the players and their representatives. We have that with multiple players now. Partly with Gustaf, partly with several others. These are pleasant problems."