For that amount, Matt O’Riley—who is still wanted by Southampton’s former MK Dons manager Russell Martin—would become the most expensive sale in The Hoops’ history.

On the question of another Celtics player’s future, though, Rodgers’ answer was not nearly as firm.

If the price is good, Gustaf Lagerbielke, who just signed for £3 million from Elfsborg last summer, may be permitted to chase his own fresh start.

Gustaf Lagerbielke, a defender, may be sold by Celtic.

According to Rodgers, “It just depends,” via Football Scotland. “Gus has demonstrated a fantastic mentality. Despite playing less games than usual the previous season, he remains focused.

“In January, he was eligible to go on loan, but we had injuries in that position, so we had to keep him.” He has put in a lot of effort throughout the preseason, though, so we’ll see.

“Although it appears like everyone is content and performing well, every player wants to play. They could seek elsewhere if they are unable to obtain the game time with us. He is working so hard right now and will do whatever required of him. He enters and performs admirably.

Lagerbielke, who was born in Stockholm, only made four starts in the Scottish Premiership as Celtic won another domestic championship. He played for slightly more than 400 league minutes in all.

Lagerbielke enters the next campaign trailing Cameron Carter-Vickers, Liam Scales, and maybe Stephen Walsh in the standings, although striking Rodgers with his mindset and passion. Maik Nawrocki and Yuki Kobayashi are still available to Celtic as well.

Meanwhile, there is still talk of the 23-year-old Swede moving to Italy.

In January, Lagerbielke told Sky Italia about his Serie A “dream” and declared his intention in joining the ranks of numerous Scandinavian players at Lecce.

Director Pantaleo Corvino of Lecce would subsequently confess that the Giallorossi do, in fact, admire the misfit from Parkhead. But Lecce decided not to pursue a winter transfer because of the abundance of center-halves already at the Stadio Via del Mare.

Maybe after seven months, things are different. Lagerbielke’s “dream” of playing in Serie A might yet come true.

In an interview with Tuttomercatoweb, Corvino states that Lecce is now searching for two central defenders before the window shuts.

Lecce is still considering a Serie A transfer.

While Marin Pongracic has finalized a £13 million move to Fiorentina to replace Nottingham Forest rookie Nikola Milenkovic, the Italians have lost former loanee Ahmed Touba.

“We’re searching for players who have what it takes,” says Corvino. “With just two center defenders, we cannot continue. We’ll get two more signed.

“We parted with Pongracic, a starter.”

Celtic has only completed three acquisitions this summer as of Sunday’s Premiership start against Kilmarnock at home.Paulo Bernardo joins from Benfica on a permanent basis, and goalkeepers Viljami Sinisalo and Kasper Schmeichel also came.

Apart from keeping O’Riley on staff, Rodgers is eager to recruit a new center-forward.

According to HITC, Celtic has now made an inquiry for Hearts captain and Golden Boot winner Lawrence Shankland, which might complicate a prospective move for Norwich City striker Adam Idah.

Read more on sportupdates.co.uk