Celtic Ready to Turn Up the Heat for Haissem Hassan as Oviedo Set Their Stall Out

Celtic’s pursuit of Haissem Hassan looks set to move up a gear, with reports suggesting the club are preparing to significantly increase their offer for the Real Oviedo winger.

The Hoops have already been credited with an opening bid of around £3.4 million, but that was quickly dismissed by the Spanish side, who have made it clear they won’t allow one of their prized assets to leave on the cheap.

Now, according to reports in Spain, Celtic are expected to return with a bid in the region of €8 million (£6.8 million). That’s a serious jump and shows the club clearly believe Hassan is worth pushing the boat out for.

The 24-year-old has become one of the standout names of the summer after an impressive World Cup campaign with Egypt. His pace, direct running and willingness to take defenders on have caught plenty of attention, and it’s easy to see why Celtic’s recruitment team have identified him as someone who could add a different dimension to the attack.

There’s still a sizeable gap to bridge, though.

Real Oviedo president Martín Peláez has confirmed Hassan’s release clause has dropped from around £16 million to £10 million following the club’s relegation, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’ll accept anything below that figure. With Villarreal also due a percentage of any future sale, Oviedo have every reason to hold firm in negotiations.

From a Celtic perspective, this feels like one of those transfers that needs wrapped up sooner rather than later. Hassan’s stock is rising almost by the week, and the longer negotiations drag on, the greater the chance another club enters the race. Reports have already linked Premier League interest with the Egyptian international after his performances on the world stage.

Supporters will no doubt be encouraged if the club do return with an improved bid. After years of hearing about identifying talent before their value explodes, this is an opportunity for Celtic to back their judgement.

Whether €8 million is enough remains to be seen, but one thing is becoming increasingly clear: if Martin O’Neill—or those overseeing recruitment—believe Hassan is the right player, this is a deal that may require Celtic to stretch beyond their original valuation.

The coming days could tell us a lot about just how serious the club are.