Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic are eyeing up a potential £1.7 million January move for Stade Brestois and Ligue 1 hitman Jeremy Le Douaron, as reported by France-based publication Homme du Match.
When performing at their purring, prancing peak, Postecoglou’s Celtic are capable of going toe-to-toe with most clubs.
Only oh-to-familiar defensive blunders stopped the Hoops snatching Europa League points off Real Betis and Bayer Leverkusen after all, Kyogo Furuhashi, David Turnbull and Filipe Jota striking fear into the heart of two of the tournament’s finest teams.
But last week at the Bay Arena, the lack of quality options on Postecoglou’s bench arguably proved to be the big difference between a first ever win on German soil and an early exit from Europe’s second-tier club competition.
Do Celtic really need Jeremy le Douaron?
The drop off following Kyogo’s second-half substitution, and the subsequent introduction of Albian Ajeti, was stark.
That he remains the club’s second-choice option at centre-forward is a reflection of the fact that Odsonne Edouard’s shoes remain, as yet, un-filled.
Giorgios Giakoumakis, the only other senior number nine at Postecoglou’s disposal, is yet to rediscover the form that made him the Eredivisie’s most feared marksman in 2020/21 either, a last-gasp penalty miss against Livingston summing up his frustrating start to life at Parkhead.
As such, a new striker is one of Celtic’s top priorities heading into the winter window, according to reports from across the Channel.
And Le Douaron is one of the names on their wishlist.
A versatile 23-year-old who can play through the middle, out wide or in an attacking midfield role, Le Douaron has scored an impressive five goals in six Ligue 1 starts for a Brest side in the midst of a four-match winning run, including both strikes in the 2-1 win at Bordeaux last time out.
It is believed that Brest may be willing to listen to offers in the region of less than 2 million euros.
Celtic have also been linked with a pair of Japan internationals heading into the January window, as well as an out-of-contract 25-year-old who could be available for just £500,000.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
