It’s early days in terms of transfer rumours. Especially so for Celtic, who seem to have already hit the slow button as we all wait to hear official news about Martin O’Neill’s return. The transfer rumours are well underway though, with one of last summer’s targets featuring again.
Right now though, it’s the exit door that is spinning rapidly. Luis Palma, Stephen Walsh, Hayato Inamura, and a bunch of expired loans and contracts are all beginning to move off the books. For incoming players, there is much less in the way of news so far, but plenty of speculation.
Jakob Breum, at Dutch side Go Ahead Eagles, is now seemingly back in the Celtic radar again after the club interest last summer, when a couple of issues may have got in the way of a move. Firstly it seemed Celtic were only interested in making low, below his club's valuation, bids. Secondly, Go Ahead Eagles didn’t want to sell him at that time.
Past Celtic transfer deals haven't impressed
Part of that reluctance was them losing another top star from their squad. That was Oliver Antman who went to Rangers for around €4m. Antman and Breum were described then as the Eagles’ two most valuable attacking assets.
Antman didn’t really set the world on fire at Ibrox. He regularly struggled to make the starting lineup for the SPFL's third-placed team. Which raises a few questions perhaps about Breum. Is he a talent worth chasing or another Michel-Ange Balikwisha who could crash and burn?
The jury remains out on that so far. He has all the hallmarks of being similar to many of Celtic’s recent signings and loans. Very few of which made a positive impression. Breum made 37 appearances for the Eagles last season. He scored six goals and notched up seven assists. That’s not prolific by any means, but it offers some encouragement.
Does Breum’s flexibility get the go ahead from Celtic?
Perhaps the attraction to Celtic lies with his flexibility. An attacking midfielder who is capable of playing out wide on either wing. And in true club fashion, he’s probably available for around a relative low €4m.
That flexibility helps fit in with changes to formation, bringing on substitutes to change games, and could appeal greatly to O’Neill, assuming he is confirmed. On the other hand, the new boss may be hoping to step up the quality to a higher level and splash the cash a bit more, if the board agrees.
But there is still room for a lower cost buy. There will likely be space for a project player. One who might flourish and make a step up in levels. Though Celtic may have to ship out a few more of the squad to make that space.
Breum might just fit that bill with an expected fee that is already covered by the exits of Palma and Inamura. Or indeed be small change in relation to a possible fee for Arne Engles. It’s going to be an interesting summer as we see how the transfer strategy unfolds.
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