Adrian Blake looks set to be one of the more intriguing name-to-watch stories of the summer transfer window, with Celtic and Wolves both interested in the Utrecht winger after a season that sharpened attention on his value. The reported price tag of £2.5 million, combined with just one year left on his contract, makes the situation a straightforward one: this is the kind of deal that can move quickly.
Blake, who moved to the Netherlands in 2023 after leaving Watford, also has a familiar connection to Celtic in European competition. He scored against them in the Europa League last season, which will only have strengthened the view that he can cause problems at a higher level.
Why the price makes this a live race
For Celtic, the interest fits a wider summer picture. They have made one new signing so far, but there is a clear need to reinforce Martin O'Neil's squad after he was appointed permanent manager. That need is sharpened by the fact Celtic won the Scottish Premiership title and will also be competing in the Champions League.
Blake would not arrive as a marquee, headline-grabbing signing, but that is part of the appeal. In a market where wide players are often expensive, a winger available for a relatively modest fee and with only one year left on his deal becomes a practical target. Celtic can see the value, and Wolves can too.
What Blake offers
The basic case for Blake is easy to understand. He has already shown he can contribute end product, with five goals and 25 goals and assists in the broader set of figures attached to his rise, and he has done it in a setting that has put him on the radar beyond the Netherlands.
That matters because clubs rarely chase a winger only for pace or flair. They want a player who can affect games, and scoring against Celtic last season gave Blake exactly the kind of reference point that tends to travel well in recruitment conversations.
For Celtic, the attraction is obvious: a player who has already tested them, who knows the demands of European football, and who is available at a price that would not prevent further business later in the window. For Wolves, the appeal is different but no less logical, even after their recent relegation to the second tier of English football. They remain a club with strong ambition, and adding a player of Blake's profile would be a statement of intent.
The next move may depend on timing as much as interest. With only one year left on his contract, Utrecht will know the pressure is there to decide soon. That gives Celtic and Wolves a chance, but it also means neither club can afford to wait too long if Blake is the player they want.
