AIK have admitted defeat in their bid to land free agent Jordan Larsson this summer - clearing the path for Celtic and other suitors to push for a deal this summer.
The son of Parkhead icon Henrik is out of contract following after leaving Spartak Moscow, where his contract was ripped up following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He impressed in the Russian top flight, netting an impressive 26 goals his first 62 appearances before returning to Sweden on loan at AIK for a successful three-month spell in the Allsvenskan. But that has been brought to an end after his Spartak deal was cancelled.
A move to the Scottish Premiership champions has caught the imagination of the Parkhead supporters given the mark Larsson Sr left on Glasgow's east end, and AIK sporting director Henrik Jurelius has conceded the club will not be able to bring Larsson back. He admits there are other clubs from larger European leagues chasing a deal for the frontman.
However, he told Aftonbladet that the door was left open if could not land a contract elsewhere, and wished to rejoin the title fight in Sweden. Jurelius said: "It turned out in a very good way for Jordan when his contract was broken and he became a free agent. At the same time, it became more difficult for us (to sign him) given the market that I think opens up for him.
"And it became natural that when he left that he does not, at such an early stage, rule himself out for any alternative or decision, even if we wanted to keep him. But we said that we keep in touch and see how it develops. There was interest in him already last summer, where clubs followed him.
"And he has delivered at a level here that is above the Allsvenskan and that opens doors. It would be naive of us to think that he will not get good offers from good clubs. He has a fairly high reputation in Europe and has probably only strengthened the shares to reach his goals."
Ange Postecoglou is in the market for another striker this summer ahead of the club's return to the Champions League. Ferencvaros striker Ryan Mmaee is in the frame, with forgotten Albian Ajeti likely to be shipped out of Celtic Park this summer.
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