Celtic have reportedly made Danish winger Jakob Breum their top transfer priority as the club look to complete their summer business ahead of the Champions League play-off window.
Brendan Rodgers has been targeting wide reinforcements since the start of the window, with multiple names under consideration.
However, journalist Pete O’Rourke reports that Breum is firmly at the top of the list, with the club making a sustained effort to land the Go Ahead Eagles attacker.
Celtic have already submitted several bids for the 21-year-old, who enjoyed a strong 2024/25 campaign in the Eredivisie, scoring 10 goals and playing a key role in his side’s KNVB Cup win. Go Ahead Eagles are holding firm on their valuation, complicating negotiations as the end of the window draws closer.
Michel-Ange Balikwisha remains a strong alternative, and a player the club have tracked for over a year. But according to O’Rourke, Celtic will only move on the Belgian international if their pursuit of Breum collapses completely.
He said: (Football Insider), “Celtic are pursuing a deal for Jakob Breum from Go Ahead Eagles.
“He has been the top target for them this summer and they’ve had several bids turned down for him.
“So if they can’t agree a deal for him, they could return for Balikwisha.
“Brendan Rodgers wants to bring in a winger, it’s been a key position for him this summer, so he’ll be hopeful they can get a deal over the line.”
Nicolas Kühn has already departed for Como this summer, and Rodgers remains keen to add final attacking depth before the league campaign settles and European competition takes hold.
With key players leaving in recent months, including Kyogo Furuhashi and Kühn, the urgency to bring in another wide option has grown.
Breum is viewed as a player who ticks all the boxes: technically sharp, dangerous in the final third, and with plenty of development ahead. The 21-year-old is under contract until 2027, and with Odense due a 25% sell-on clause, Go Ahead Eagles are reportedly demanding a fee in the region of £5 to £7 million.
Balikwisha, who remains at Royal Antwerp, is still in the frame should Celtic be forced to look elsewhere. He’s entering the final year of his deal and would be more affordable, but the consistent message from inside the club is clear. Breum is the priority.
Celtic now face a race against the clock to get the deal done, with Rodgers intent on seeing his top target signed before the month is out.
