Italian Serie A side Como looking at third Celtic connection

Talks are understood to have started over a potential deal for Starfelt, with Italian journalist Alfredo Pedullà breaking the news late last week, that Como are not only interested in Malick Thiaw, a defender for Serie A club AC Milan and the German national team but also keen to get Starfelt signed up too.

‘Como is not stopping at Thiaw , it wants to take two central defenders. And there is a new surprise lead, negotiations already well underway for Carl Starfelt , a Swedish player born in 1995 who plays for Celta Vigo and who still has two years of contract with his current club. Valuation in double figures, Como has turned on the lights and is working intensely to close the deal.’

A move for Starfelt is far from guaranteed. The 30-year-old Swede remains a key figure in Celta’s plans. Como boss Cesc Fàbregas – no stranger to spotting Celtic talent having picked up Alex Valle via a loan to The Hoops in January, and also heavily linked with a move for Nicolas Kuhn – is believed to be a big admirer of Starfelt.

Carl certainly split opinion within the Celtic support. You couldn’t argue he was strong in his duels and had excellent recovery pace, but his awkward technique, and lack of composure in possession, was often criticised, a tad unfairly in my view, by some.

The ex-Celtic defender certainly fits the bill for a second season top-flight team and one now keen to establish itself in the top half of Serie A, because Starfelt is a good fit a team developing and progressing but looking to also ensure they don’t trouble the Serie A relegation trapdoor next season.

Starfelt made the move to Vigo from Celtic the summer before last, under Rafa Benítez, with Celta paying around €5 million for his services.

The switch was reported to have been partly influenced by personal factors, as his partner, former Celtic FC Women’s star Jacynta, pursued her footballing career with Sporting CP in nearby Portugal.

The Swede signed a four-year contract, but with interest growing across Europe and Transfermarkt valuing him at €6 million, Celta could now turn a quick profit, with a double figure transfer fee being mooted.

Losing Starfelt would sting on the pitch for Celta, but financially, it could prove another smart bit of business. Celta have a track record of cashing in – Tasos Douvikas to Como fetched €14 million, Fran Beltrán moved on for €2 million, and Fer López’s huge €25 million switch to Wolves helped balance their books after some financial problems. Starfelt could be next on the list, with Como apparently ready to meet Celta’s valuation.

The coming weeks will reveal whether Fàbregas gets his man – or whether Celta hold firm. And it may well see Celtic face up to two former Celts when we head to Lake Como for pre-season. It could even be three, if Nicolas Kuhn heads to Italy, rather than back to Germany with RB Leipzig.

And remember Alex Valle, who started last season on loan at Celtic from Barcelona, cut short his season long loan to join Como in January, also on loan before completing his transfer to the ambitious Italian side a few weeks ago.

Valle, Starlet and maybe even Nicolas Kuhn if all Como’s plans come together would indeed give them three Celtic connections ahead of the Hoops arriving for the two Como Cup matches next month.

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