Celtic are closing in on an excting deal to sign Egyptian World Cup star Haissem Hassan from Real Oviedo.
The Scottish champions are now close to reaching a full agreement with the winger, who has already indicated he is willing to put pen to paper on a four-year contract in Glasgow.
Once the formalities over the transfer are sorted out with the Spanish club in the coming days, the Bhoys look set to splash out around £10million to land the 24-year-old, who only has a year left on his current contract.
Hassan a significant capture for Celtic
Celtic appear to have beaten several clubs to the capture of Hassan, who caught the eye with Egypt in the World Cup this summer.
Hassan shone in the last-16 clash with Argentina, getting an assist, with his energetic and skilful display from out wide.
And he is keen to make the move to Scotland, where he will significantly strengthen Martin O'Neill's attacking options.
Hassan scored four goals and got four assists for Oviedo, although he was not always first-choice in Spain, and has developed quickly in the past 12 months.
Knock-down fee makes deal attractive
With Hassan having just a year left on his current Oviedo deal, the second-tier club were keen to allow the French-born forward to move on this summer at the right price.
Celtic look to have activated his reported £10million release clause and will now conclude talks with his club, amid claims the two parties need to finalise the structure of some bonus payments before a deal is struck.
Hassan will add creativity from either flank as the naturally left-footed winger often performed well on the right for his previous clubs with the former Chateauroux, Villarreal, Mirandes and Sporting Gijon player seen as a real transfer coup.
Hassan not the only addition
After pipping Hearts to the Scottish Premiership title on the final day last season, O'Neill knows he needs to improve his squad at Parkhead for the 2026-27 campaign.
Camilo Duran has already made a postivie impression in pre-season following his move from Qarabag earlier this month, while the Bhoys are also working to complete the signing of striker Kasper Hogh from Bodo/Glimt.
A refreshed frontline will be music to the ears of Celtic supporters, who know they will face a renewed bid for their crown from Old Firm rivals Rangers in the top-flight this season.
Fans are eager for stability and improvement, especially after the most recent campaign, in which O'Neill was brought back and eventually just about delivered the title following the calamitous month-long reign of Wilfried Nancy.
Big kick-off looming
Celtic's title defence gets under way next Monday when they host Dundee, with O'Neill's side 1/5 to win, with the draw 13/2 and a shock away win on offer at 17/2.
The Hoops - who are 4/5 to retain their title - then take on Kilmarnock on August 9th, before a League Cup tie with Dundee United is next on the agenda.
Meanwhile, the Gers are 11/8 to beat Celtic to the title in 2026-27 and last season's surprise package Hearts are 6/1 to end their long wait to be crowned champions.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
