Director confirms 'great interest' with Everton, Sunderland and Celtic circling

Häcken director confirms multiple clubs including Everton, Sunderland and Celtic are interested in 19-year-old midfielder Doumbia; asking price exceeds €5m.

BK Häcken sporting director Erik Friberg has confirmed that several European clubs are pursuing Abdoulaye Doumbia, the 19-year-old Ivorian defensive midfielder. Everton, Sunderland, Celtic, Coventry City, Bayer Leverkusen, Paris FC, OGC Nice, RC Lens, SC Freiburg and Club Brugge are all monitoring the player.

Doumbia has impressed since joining Häcken from ASEC Mimosas in January, making 28 appearances and contributing two goals and three assists from 2,389 minutes. Friberg praised his development: "He has taken a starting place straight away and has been one of the best young players we have seen over a whole year."

While Transfermarkt values Doumbia at €5m, Friberg indicated the asking price is higher. He dismissed reports of a meeting with Trabzonspor and suggested a January departure is unlikely, though he left the door open for a summer move. "Right now, there's nothing really concrete, but I think it could happen eventually," Friberg said.