Celtic on the Verge of a Double Transfer Masterstroke That Changes Everything
Celtic are reportedly on the verge of their next big signing, with striker Kasper Høgh almost a done deal, while a second major attacking arrival appears close behind. As of Sunday 26 July 2026, the Parkhead club sits at a pivotal moment in the summer transfer window, balancing the emotional departure of a key player with the exciting prospect of two significant reinforcements that could reshape the attacking options for the season ahead.
Saturday 25 July proved to be a day of contrasting emotions on the transfer front for boss Martin O’Neill. Just as the Premiership champions were confirmed to have lost talisman of recent years Daizen Maeda to Ipswich Town, the Hoops gaffer confirmed a move for Bodo/Glimt’s frontman is likely, for a reported club-record fee. Now there could be more additions beyond Høgh ahead of the league season beginning versus Dundee.
The confirmation of Maeda’s exit to the Premier League marked the end of a significant chapter. The Japanese forward had been a constant source of energy, goals and work rate during his time in Glasgow. His decision to move on, after previously turning down a substantial contract offer from Celtic some 16 months earlier, reflected his long-held ambition to test himself in the English top flight or the Bundesliga. O’Neill was open about the impact of the departure while remaining positive about the player’s future.
“Naturally, I will miss Daizen. He was in his last year of his contract. Before I came here, the club made him a real big offer, in our terms, at least 16 months ago. And the lad refused to do it in the sense that he wanted to play in the Premier League if he could, or the Bundesliga,” O’Neill explained after Saturday’s friendly draw with AC Milan.
“So I will obviously miss him, but I’m delighted for him at the same time, genuinely delighted for him. He deserves the move because he’s been fantastic for the club. We will miss his presence around about the place and Ipswich will be getting somebody that they will grow to really like.”
While the loss of Maeda created a clear gap in the wide and forward areas, Celtic moved quickly to address the need for a recognised goal threat. Kasper Høgh, the Bodo/Glimt striker who has impressed with his goal-scoring record in the Champions League, has emerged as the primary target. Reports indicate the deal is at an advanced stage and could be completed for a club-record fee, underlining the ambition of the current recruitment drive.
Speaking after the Milan friendly, O’Neill highlighted exactly why a player of Høgh’s profile is being pursued. “Without going too deeply into it, that’s the calibre of player that we’d be looking for, who has scored goals in the Champions League. I’m hoping that players coming into the football club who are of some sort of substance, I think that would be the exciting thing for fans.
“For most of the time that I was here last season, we struggled to score goals. Maeda came up brilliantly for us in the last six or seven weeks of the season, but we didn’t have that recognised striker. So that would be a big plus for us if we can do that. It’s quality that we’ll probably be looking for, and quality at affordable prices is at a real premium. We’ve got a few other things in the pipeline that might come to fruition, which would be great for us. I’ve got good faith in the people being able to get the players in.”
Those “few other things in the pipeline” appear to include another attacking addition that could land shortly after Høgh. Egyptian international Haissem Hassan, who shone out wide for his country at the World Cup, is now the subject of mounting transfer interest. The Real Oviedo attacker has caught the eye of several clubs, with Celtic understood to be among the most serious suitors.
Journalist George Tsarouchas has provided the latest update on the situation, stating that a deal is close to being finalised. According to the reporter, Hassan has already accepted the personal terms of a four-year contract with Celtic, and Real Oviedo are prepared to give the transfer their blessing. Some details around bonuses remain under negotiation, but the overall framework of the move is reportedly in place.
Taking to X, Tsarouchas said: “After Høgh, Celtic FC set to finalise another huge signing with Haissem Hassan. Egyptian star has accepted the offer from Celtic for a 4-years contract and Real Oviedo also ready to give permission. There are some bonus that are still under negotiation.”
If both deals are completed, Celtic would secure two new attacking options in quick succession — a central striker with proven European pedigree in Høgh and a dynamic wide forward in Hassan who has demonstrated his quality on the international stage. The combination would give O’Neill greater flexibility in attack and address the goal-scoring concerns that were evident for large parts of last season.
The timing is significant. With the Scottish Premiership campaign due to begin against Dundee, the club is working to ensure new faces are integrated as early as possible. Pre-season preparations are already well underway, and the addition of players who can contribute immediately would strengthen the squad’s readiness for the domestic title defence and any European commitments that lie ahead.
Celtic’s recruitment strategy this summer has focused on quality rather than quantity. O’Neill has repeatedly emphasised the need for players of substance who can elevate the overall standard of the squad. The reported pursuit of Høgh at a club-record fee, combined with the advanced talks over Hassan, suggests the hierarchy is prepared to invest where they believe the right profile exists.
Supporters have reacted with a mixture of disappointment at Maeda’s departure and growing excitement at the potential incoming deals. The Japanese forward’s work rate and big-game contributions made him a favourite among the Celtic support, yet many fans recognise that the club must continue to evolve. The prospect of a recognised centre-forward alongside a new wide option has generated considerable discussion across supporter forums and social media.
From a tactical perspective, the potential arrivals would offer O’Neill new dimensions. Høgh’s presence as a focal point could allow the team to play more directly when required, while still retaining the ability to build through midfield. Hassan’s pace, dribbling and end product from wide areas would provide an alternative to the existing options and create different problems for opposing defences.
The broader context of the transfer window remains fluid. Quality players at affordable prices continue to be difficult to secure, as O’Neill noted. Competition from clubs in stronger financial leagues often complicates negotiations, yet Celtic’s ability to offer Champions League football and a clear pathway into the first team remains an attractive proposition for many targets.
As things stand on Sunday 26 July 2026, the Høgh deal is understood to be the closest to completion, with formalities expected to be concluded in the coming days if progress continues smoothly. Parallel discussions over Hassan are advancing, and further clarity is anticipated once the remaining bonus details are settled with Real Oviedo.
Martin O’Neill’s public comments have been measured but optimistic. He has avoided over-promising while making clear that the club is actively working on multiple fronts. The manager’s emphasis on substance and quality aligns with the profiles of both Høgh and Hassan, suggesting these are not speculative links but carefully considered targets.
For Celtic fans, the coming days could bring significant developments. A successful conclusion to the Høgh negotiations would deliver the recognised striker the team has lacked, while progress on Hassan would add further attacking depth and variety. Together, the two moves would represent a clear statement of intent as the new season approaches.
The loss of Daizen Maeda will be felt, both on the pitch and in the dressing room. Yet the club’s response — moving decisively for a high-calibre replacement and simultaneously advancing talks for a second attacking reinforcement — demonstrates a proactive approach to squad building. If both deals are completed as reported, Celtic will enter the new campaign with renewed options in the final third and a clearer sense of direction under O’Neill.
Attention will now turn to the final stages of negotiation and the formal announcements that supporters are eagerly awaiting. With the league season against Dundee on the horizon, the pressure is on to finalise business and begin integrating any new arrivals. For now, the message from the club remains one of quiet confidence that the right players can be secured.
As the transfer window continues, Celtic appear well positioned to strengthen key areas of the squad. The combination of a potential club-record striker signing and a secondary attacking addition of Hassan’s profile would give the team greater firepower and flexibility. Supporters will hope that the reported progress translates into completed deals in the near future, allowing the focus to shift fully toward the challenges of the season ahead.
In summary, Celtic stand on the verge of meaningful progress in the transfer market. Kasper Høgh is close to becoming the next major arrival, while Haissem Hassan represents a second substantial opportunity that is advancing rapidly. Against the backdrop of Daizen Maeda’s departure to Ipswich Town, the club is actively shaping its attacking resources for the campaign to come. The next few days could prove decisive in determining just how transformative this particular phase of the window becomes.
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