Celtic are among the clubs in the mix to sign BK Häcken’s Abdoulaye Doumbia. Martin O’Neill’s side will face competition from elsewhere, including the Premier League, where Everton, Sunderland and Coventry City are keen.
The 19-year-old’s rise in Sweden has caught the attention of several clubs across the continent. From the UK, Everton, Celtic, Sunderland and Coventry City are his suitors.
He left Ivorian side ASEC Mimosas and joined Häcken in January and has been a regular this year.
Doumbia has mainly operated in his preferred position as a defensive midfielder and also occasionally in the middle of the pitch. He played 2,389 minutes in 28 matches, scoring two goals and contributing three assists.
Everton, Celtic, Sunderland and Coventry City keen
The Turkish media recently discussed Trabzonspor’s desire to sign the player who turned 19 last week.
After relaying this, Africa Foot wastes no time in dismissing the Turkish club as an option for Abdoulaye Doumbia. However, there are other clubs with ‘very real interest’.
This includes Everton, Celtic, Sunderland, Coventry City, Bayer Leverkusen, Paris FC, OGC Nice, RC Lens, SC Freiburg and Club Brugge. These clubs have already sent their scouts to Sweden to watch him live in action for BK Häcken.
With these clubs on transfer mission in Sweden, it shows a growing interest in the young Ivorian. If these suitors and other clubs were to intensify their interest, there could be movements around him as early as January.
Already attracted European interest
In April, Sport Witness covered a report from Sweden explaining that Wolverhampton Wanderers set their sights on him. RC Strasbourg, OGC Nice and Stade Rennais had all scouted the player.
Later that month, Abdoulaye Doumbia talked about his dream of joining Liverpool, Real Madrid or Barcelona at some point in the future.
He said: “I like Real Madrid and Barcelona too. I can also imagine playing for clubs like Liverpool. My dream is to play in the best leagues, the biggest tournaments like the Champions League. I want to play with my national team in the World Cup and win trophies.”
A move to Everton, Celtic, Sunderland or Coventry City could help him take the big step to joining a bigger club in the long run. Transfermarkt value Doumbia at €5m, a massive rise from June, when it was €700k.
