Celtic are making significant progress in their pursuit of Real Oviedo winger, with talks now advancing as the Scottish champions look to strengthen their attacking options ahead of a crucial period in the season.
The Egyptian international has been on the radar at Celtic Park for much of the summer transfer window, and recent developments suggest the Bhoys are determined to push the deal over the line in the coming days.
Hassan, a dynamic and skilful wide attacker, has attracted interest from several clubs across Europe, but Celtic appear to be positioning themselves as genuine contenders for his signature.
The 22-year-old currently plies his trade with Real Oviedo in Spain, where he has impressed with his pace, technical ability, and direct running. His performances have not gone unnoticed, particularly given his status as an Egypt international who featured on the international stage.
The Valuation Standoff and Release Clause Details
At the heart of the negotiations lies a difference in valuation between the two clubs. Real Oviedo have been holding firm on an asking price in the region of £8 million.
However, Hassan’s contract contains a release clause set at £10.2 million, giving any interested party the option to trigger an automatic exit should they meet that figure. Oviedo’s preference for a lower fee is understandable when considering the broader financial picture surrounding the player.
A significant complication is the existence of a substantial sell-on clause held by Villarreal. The La Liga club retain a 40 per cent stake in any future transfer fee involving Hassan, meaning Oviedo would only receive 60 per cent of any agreed sum.
This arrangement has clearly influenced the Spanish side’s approach to negotiations, as they seek to maximise their own return while still facilitating a departure if the right offer arrives.
Despite being relegated to the Segunda División (La Liga 2), Real Oviedo are not considered a cash-strapped club. Their financial position has allowed them to resist lower offers and maintain a firm stance on valuation.
That said, relegation brings its own challenges. The club must carefully manage its salary cap to create room for new signings ahead of the new season. Moving Hassan on would free up valuable wage space and provide funds that could be reinvested in the squad, even if the overall fee is moderated by the sell-on obligation to Villarreal.
Celtic’s Approach and Negotiation Strategy
According to reports from Record Sport, Celtic are now advancing in discussions over a potential deal for Hassan. While the exact figure the Scottish club are prepared to offer remains unclear, it is widely expected that they will attempt to negotiate a fee below the full release clause. Triggering the £10.2 million clause would represent a straightforward route to securing the player, yet Celtic’s preference is likely to be a more cost-effective agreement that benefits both parties.
Hassan himself is understood to be open to a move. He is entering the final year of his contract at Oviedo, which naturally strengthens his position and increases the likelihood of a departure this summer.
The player has already demonstrated a clear preference for remaining in European football. He was previously linked with a switch to Marseille, although those talks never gained serious momentum.
The French club are currently operating under significant salary constraints and must achieve compliance with financial regulations by the end of the forthcoming season, leaving them unable to pursue major new signings at this stage.
More recently, Hassan is reported to have turned down a lucrative offer from Saudi Arabia.
The decision underlines his desire to continue developing his career in Europe rather than moving to the Middle East for financial gain alone.
A move to Celtic would offer him the opportunity to compete in the Scottish Premiership and, more importantly, in the UEFA Champions League, providing the platform and visibility he appears to prioritise.
Celtic’s Wider Transfer Picture and Alternative Targets
Hassan is not the only wide player Celtic have monitored this summer. Fares Ghedjemis of Italian side Frosinone has also been on the club’s shortlist.
However, the Algerian winger is understood to command a higher asking price, which may explain why Celtic have prioritised discussions around Hassan in recent weeks. Whether the Bhoys continue to pursue Ghedjemis remains to be seen, particularly if a deal for the Egyptian international can be finalised.
Should Hassan complete a move to Glasgow in the coming days, he would become Celtic’s third permanent signing of the summer transfer window, following the arrivals of Camilo Duran and Kasper Høgh.
The addition of a proven international winger would represent a significant boost to Martin ’ squad at a critical juncture. Celtic face the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie on 18 August, and reinforcing the attacking options before that fixture would strengthen the team’s chances of progressing into the league phase of Europe’s premier club competition.
The need for additional quality in wide areas has been evident. While Celtic possess talented options already at the club, depth and competition for places remain important, especially with a congested fixture list that will include domestic league and cup commitments alongside European matches. Hassan’s profile — pace, creativity, and experience at international level — aligns well with the type of player Rodgers has sought to bring in during previous windows.
What Lies Ahead for Celtic
Although talks are progressing positively, the deal is not yet complete. Celtic still need to agree terms with Real Oviedo and finalise personal terms with the player. The Bhoys also have several other areas of the squad that require attention before the transfer window closes, meaning the recruitment team cannot afford to become solely focused on one target. Nevertheless, the current trajectory of negotiations suggests that both clubs are working towards a resolution.
On the pitch, Celtic’s immediate focus is the Scottish Premiership. The team are next in action against Kilmarnock on Sunday. The fixture will be their second league match of the new season and their first away game. A positive result would maintain early momentum as the club balances domestic ambitions with the demands of European qualification.
The potential arrival of Haissem Hassan would inject fresh energy into the squad and provide supporters with an exciting new talent to watch. At a time when Celtic are looking to reassert their dominance at home while competing on the continental stage, securing a player of his quality would be viewed as a shrewd piece of business — provided the financial details can be aligned to the satisfaction of all parties.
As discussions continue, the coming days will be pivotal. Should Celtic succeed in landing Hassan, it would mark another important step in a summer of carefully targeted recruitment. For now, the signs are encouraging: the Bhoys are advancing, the player is receptive, and a deal that once appeared distant is beginning to take clearer shape.
Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.