​Glasgow isn’t a place that rewards patience easily, and Parkhead’s hierarchy was keen on making a quick splash in the market. Spain, however, had different ideas. A Football Insider report suggests Celtic have failed with an initial £3.5 million bid for Egypt winger Haissem Hassan. Real Oviedo rejected the offer on the spot, signaling that they weren’t prepared to play ball, even though a recent relegation from La Liga had lowered the 24-year-old’s release clause. Celtic’s opening offer still didn’t meet the price tag they face.
Martin O’Neill is looking to inject fresh width into the squad. James Forrest has been a stalwart for Celtic, but he’s approaching the later stages of his career, and a void in wide areas is apparent. Hassan represents a different profile. He’s left-footed, exceptionally quick, and thrives on cutting inside from the right flank.
At the moment, Hassan is a hot commodity. He delivered a standout performance against Argentina at the World Cup in North America, creating a goal before Egypt were edged out 3-2 by Lionel Messi’s team. Across the 2025-26 season, he contributed three assists in 38 appearances for Oviedo. The question now is whether he deserves a second look from Celtic.
Spending more than £4 million on a player with a relatively sparse goal-scoring record in Spain’s second tier is a significant financial risk. Hassan’s pace is undeniable, but his finishing and final pass can be inconsistent. Investors often overpay for a player who has shown form in a short burst during a summer tournament, which can inflate the price.
Interest in Hassan isn’t limited to Scotland. Turkish clubs and Saudi Arabian teams are closely monitoring his development, creating a competitive market. Celtic must avoid getting swept into an expensive bidding war to acquire an asset with limited evidence of sustained domestic or European impact. Parkhead’s scouts should widen their search beyond a flashy name and focus on a winger who can deliver immediate goals at home and withstand the pressures of European football.
The smart path for Celtic is to pursue a player who can guarantee regular goals in the domestic league while proving able to handle the intensity of continental competition. In other words, the club should channel resources toward a proven winger who can make an immediate difference, rather than chasing a project with uncertain upside. This approach would align with their broader objective of strengthening the squad quickly and efficiently, without overextending their finances or overreaching in a bid to land a high-profile but unproven addition. The bottom line is clear: prioritize proven consistency and measurable impact in both domestic and European contexts, and avoid being drawn into an expensive, high-risk pursuit for a player whose best days may still be ahead of him.