Danish wonderkid was ‘open’ to Parkhead transfer but Celtic’s lowball bidding strategy proved fatal

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Celtic’s transfer window was an absolute unmitigated disaster.

The Bhoys are one quality winger short despite the signing of Sebastian Tounekti, and failed to buy a striker before Monday’s deadline to replace Adam Idah.

Kelechi Iheanaco has been recruited on a free transfer, but fans are livid if that is the best the board can deliver at this time.

Another downfall of Celtic’s summer was their lowball bidding strategy. Time and time again, they saw offers turned down because they did not meet rival clubs’ demands.

Jakob Breum was the perfect example of that.

• READ MORE: Celtic told striker with ‘good talent’ should be out on loan and not in Europa League squad

Jakob Breum ‘disappointed’ by Celtic transfer collapse

The 21-year-old Danish midfielder was pursued by Celtic for weeks and weeks, with the Bhoys seeing two bids rejected by Go Ahead Eagles.

Now, it’s been revealed by the Eagles’ sporting director Marc van Hintum that Breum was left ‘disappointed’ having not made the move to Celtic.

Van Hintum explains that Celtic were not willing to meet the Eagles’ valuation of Breum, and thus negotiations broke down.

The sporting director said via the Daily Record: “No, that transfer (Breum to Celtic) wasn’t close. The gap between what we were asking for and what Celtic was willing to pay was simply too big.

“Jakob was open to it, but there was no agreement with Celtic. And of course, we ultimately had a say in that.

“The amount we asked for was very realistic and in line with the market, especially considering how things went with Oliver Antman.

“Of course, Jakob was disappointed, but he handled it fantastically. I expect him to shine again this season.”

Who else did Celtic fail to sign?

Breum was certainly not the only transfer target who Celtic failed to capture – there were many others across the summer.

Kasper Dolberg and David Datro Fofana were late targets from Anderlecht and Chelsea respectively, but both favoured moves elsewhere.

David Strelec was pursued in January by Celtic, but Slovan Bratislava ended up selling the striker to EFL Championship club Middlesbrough.

Moreover, Cluj hitman Louis Munteanu was wanted by the Hoops and a bid of £6.9m was rejected.