Celtic have reportedly sent representatives to watch BK Häcken midfielder Abdoulaye Doumbia, with Everton, Sunderland and Bayer Leverkusen also monitoring the teenager.

Africafoot report that the Hoops are among several European clubs to have watched the Ivorian’s performances in Sweden.

Club Brugge, Strasbourg, Lens and Freiburg are also named in the report.

Keep up with the latest Celtic transfer rumours as they happen.

Doumbia only turned 19 on October 27, with Häcken marking his birthday in a recent club interview.

The midfielder spoke about his determination to perform his role well and help his side finish the Swedish league campaign strongly.

He joined Häcken from Ivorian club ASEC Mimosas, with the Swedish side announcing his arrival last November ahead of his move in January 2026.

He’s primarily a defensive midfielder who can also operate in a more central role.

That position will interest Celtic supporters given the recurring questions over the balance of Martin O’Neill’s midfield.

Callum McGregor has carried a considerable workload, while the protection around him has come under scrutiny. The captain’s recent comments about players learning their roles added to the debate over how the team is being organised.

A player comfortable operating deeper would offer a different option. Whether Doumbia is ready to provide that at Celtic is something the scouting process would need to establish.

But, it is clear that Celtic need to improve their midfield balance. Identifying the right player is only part of that job, but one needs to be lined up to come in in January, regardless of who the manager is.