Malmo sporting director coy on Mikael Lustig move

By David Walton

February 20, 2019

Malmo sporting director Daniel Andersson has spoken about the club’s recent link with Celtic’s Mikael Lustig.

The Swedish outfit were reported to have made an offer for the right-back last weekend. This comes after Lustig’s place in the team has been lost to Borussia Dortmund loan-star Jeremy Toljan.

Lustig’s contract is up at the end of the season. There have been no reports as of yet that the Hoops are in talks with him to renew it.

Mikael Lustig’s reputation in Sweden remains high (Simon Hofmann – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

And this has prompted reported interest from Malmo and AIK of Lustig’s homeland. Despite that, however, Andersson was coy on his own club’s link with Lustig. Speaking in the Scottish Sun, he had the following to say:

“I do not usually comment on players who do not belong to Malmo and I won’t do it this this time either.

“You are free to speculate, but Mikael is a Celtic player and I don’t think it is respectful to talk about another club’s player.”

Malmo are hardly ruling it out

In terms of how safe answers go, the old “he isn’t our player” technique is right up there. It’s usually a code for clubs to say “yes we are interested, but we can’t actually say it”.

Lustig is likely going to be available for anybody who wants him. Given his success with the Swedish international team over the years, it’s therefore no surprise to see that he has interest back home.

It looks as though Malmo will have a battle on their hands if they want him too. Back in November, AIK sporting director Bjorn Wesstrom said that Lustig “has some good years in Sweden before he finishes”.

Daniel Andersson (right) didn’t go into details on Malmo’s interest in Lustig (Lars Dareberg/Ombrello via Getty Images)

So, regardless of whether Malmo are indeed interested or not, it’s likely AIK could make a move anyway.

Celtic are going to be short on right-backs come the summer. As well as Lustig, Cristian Gamboa’s contract is also up in the summer. With Toljan also heading back to Dortmund too, it’s hardly an ideal situation.

There could be a potential scenario where only Anthony Ralston is available to operate at right-back. Major work is needed in the summer in that position alone.

As for Lustig, however, don’t be surprised if Malmo end up making a move for him as well as AIK.