(Credit: Imago, Getty Images)

Jack Dawson

Thu 2 April 2026 22:00, UK

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Celtic’s transfer strategy this season has been rightly slammed by supporters, with the club at risk of not achieving Champions League football, let alone winning the title.

The lack of quality in the squad has left the Old Firm outfit weak in several areas, including the backline.

Therefore, the sale of Gustaf Lagerbielke to Braga in the summer has only looked more baffling as the weeks have gone on, with the Sweden international now being linked with a move to one of Europe’s top five leagues.

Below, Football Insider has examined how this development has humiliated Celtic’s transfer strategy once again.

Gustaf Lagerbielke continues to impress for Braga

While Lagerbielke may have been a success at Braga this season, there is no denying that his time at Celtic was underwhelming.

In two seasons, he made just 10 appearances in all competitions for the Hoops before being sold last summer.

However, his time in Portugal has been a huge success. At Braga, he has become a star player and has helped the club reach the quarter-finals of the Europa League.

This form has also been transferred to his international career, and he played a key part in ensuring Sweden qualified for the 2026 World Cup this week, and he scored in the 3-2 victory over Poland.

Now, Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that Lagerbielke is wanted by clubs in Europe’s top five leagues ahead of the transfer window.

🚨🇸🇪 Paris FC tried to sign Gustaf Lagerbielke in January, SC Braga didn’t want want to sell him.

More bids expectee this summer from top 5 leagues after his performances with Braga and Sweden, also scoring against Poland. pic.twitter.com/9P46EkT1Wg

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 2, 2026

This has just exposed how poor Celtic’s transfer policy is. They were prepared to sell Lagerbielke, who had barely been given a chance at the club, and is obviously a very good player.

Yet, they keep stars who continue to underperform year after year, and this has now resulted in their sudden decline.

There is no doubt that in his current form, Lagerbielke would walk into the Celtic starting XI, and would easily be their best defender, and the club has no one to blame but themselves for letting him go.

Will Celtic target a new centre-back in the summer?

Football Insider exclusively revealed last month that Celtic would target a centre-back in the summer transfer window.

The club feels that the area has been weakened and are keen to address this issue.

Celtic have struggled to keep clean sheets in recent weeks, which has helped to contribute to their fall.

However, it remains to be seen if the Hoops will go out to buy someone who will become an instant star player or simply target a squad player.