Celtic have been linked with promising talent Abdoulaye Doumbia, and he could be the perfect answer to help plug in the gaps all across the pitch.

Doumbia has enjoyed a successful season with Swedish side BK Hacken and their football director Erik Friberg told Göteborgs-Posten that multiple clubs are watching him, including the Hoops.

Ericsson said it would take an offer of just over £4m for them to consider selling the 19-year-old but given what he could offer to Martin O’Neill, that could seem priceless in the long run.

Abdoulaye Doumbia offers the versatility that Celtic need

Although Doumbia primarily operates as a midfielder but his coaches and staff rate him very highly, enough to feel like he can play everywhere on the pitch.

After signing from Ivorian club ASEC Mimosas in January 2026, Martin Ericsson revealed that the 19-year-old is also capable of filling in at centre-back and up top if needed. He told the club website: “He is a central midfielder and ball winner with great work capacity, who also has a good passing game in his core, he explains. We see him primarily as a defensive midfielder, but he can also play more offensively or as a center back”

His stats from the 2026 campaign prove that he is already ready to make an impact. Despite joining in January, Doumbia has immediately come into the first XI, starting all but one game in the league. He is also capable of chipping in with goals and assists while being able to get involved with the defensive work too.

Comparing this to Callum McGregor and Mika Baur, it is clear that the youngster is the superior when it comes to the defensive part of the game.

Hacken’s season runs differently to Celtic’s, so there is a bigger sample size, but a holding midfielder is what the Hoops need and he fits that bill.

Having someone to play next to Baur long-term is also important and Doumbia can not only learn from McGregor, but eventually replace him too.

Centre-backs have proved to be an issue for the Hoops this season too. If they needed to plug a gap, or even play him there perfectly, there should be no concerns.

The price tag shouldn’t be a problem for Celtic, they’ve spent that money plenty of times. There is competition for his signature, but he is the blueprint for what the Hoops should be signing. A young player for an affordable fee before potentially selling on for a huge profit.