🚨 UNBELIEVABLE: Celtic Ready to Risk It All for 24-Year-Old Star in Stunning Transfer Gamble

Celtic appear ready to make a major statement in the summer transfer market as they push hard to sign 24-year-old Real Oviedo winger Haissem Hassan — a move that could cost the Scottish champions close to £10 million.

The Hoops’ pursuit of Hassan has developed into one of the most intriguing transfer sagas of the summer, with Celtic reportedly willing to make a significant financial commitment to land the Egyptian international.

And with competition from clubs such as Marseille and interest from elsewhere, Celtic may have to take a calculated gamble if they want to get the deal over the line.

Celtic pushing hard for Hassan

Haissem Hassan has emerged as one of Celtic’s major attacking targets as Martin O’Neill looks to strengthen his squad ahead of another demanding campaign.

Recent reports indicate that Celtic have been pushing towards an agreement with Real Oviedo, with the overall transfer package being reported at around £9 million to £9.5 million.

Sky Sports has also reported that Celtic have made an offer for the winger, underlining just how serious the club’s interest has become.

The reported structure of the deal could see Celtic pay an initial fee of around £6 million, with additional payments taking the package considerably higher.

For a Scottish club, that represents a substantial investment.

But Celtic appear to believe Hassan could be worth the risk.

Who is Haissem Hassan?

Hassan is a left-footed winger who primarily operates from the right side of the attack.

That makes him particularly interesting to Celtic because he can play as an inverted winger, cutting inside from the right onto his stronger left foot while also possessing the pace to attack defenders directly.

The 24-year-old has experience in French and Spanish football, including spells involving Villarreal, Mirandés, Sporting Gijón and Real Oviedo.

His biggest attraction, however, is his ability to carry the ball.

Recent scouting reports have highlighted Hassan’s exceptional dribbling and ball-progression numbers, with one report placing him among the top 1% of European wingers for successful dribbles.

That is precisely the type of player Celtic could benefit from.

A winger capable of beating his man can completely change the dynamic of a match — particularly when opponents sit deep and deny Celtic space through the middle.

Why Celtic are willing to take the gamble

At first glance, spending close to £10 million on a player with relatively modest senior goal numbers may appear risky.

Hassan reportedly has only 11 senior goals to his name, meaning his appeal is not based purely on goalscoring statistics.

Instead, Celtic appear to be investing in his technical ability, pace, dribbling, creativity and potential.

That is an important distinction.

Celtic do not necessarily need Hassan to become a 25-goal-a-season winger.

They need him to create chances, stretch defences, beat opponents one-on-one and give the team another way of attacking.

If he can consistently produce those qualities, the investment could ultimately look very different.

The Nicolas Kühn problem

One major reason behind Celtic’s pursuit of Hassan is the need for a natural replacement for Nicolas Kühn.

Celtic have been looking for a player capable of providing genuine width and attacking threat from the right side.

Camilo Duran can operate in attacking areas, but Hassan’s profile is different.

He is a specialist wide player who enjoys receiving the ball in one-versus-one situations.

That could give O’Neill another attacking weapon and prevent Celtic from becoming overly predictable.

Recent reports have specifically described Hassan as the potential long-term solution to the right-wing position.

Celtic face competition from Marseille

The transfer is far from straightforward.

Marseille have also been linked with Hassan, and recent reports have suggested that the French club has made significant progress in discussions with the player.

One report claimed Hassan had reached a personal agreement with Marseille, although a transfer fee with Real Oviedo had not been finalised.

That situation has created a fascinating twist.

Other reports, however, have subsequently suggested that Celtic remain very much in the race and that Hassan has been attracted by the possibility of moving to Glasgow.

There have even been conflicting reports over the player’s preference.

That means Celtic cannot afford to assume the transfer is already won.

The Saudi option makes the story even more interesting

Hassan has also reportedly attracted interest from Saudi Arabia.

According to recent reports, an unnamed Saudi Pro League club offered him a lucrative five-year contract worth approximately £2 million per year.

Yet Hassan reportedly rejected that proposal because he wanted to continue his career in European football.

If accurate, that decision could be significant for Celtic.

It suggests the winger is not simply chasing the biggest possible salary and could instead be prioritising sporting opportunities and his development in Europe.

For Celtic, that could strengthen their chances.

A player arriving at an important moment

The timing of the potential transfer is also crucial.

Celtic have already strengthened their attack this summer, including the arrivals of Kasper Høgh and Camilo Duran.

Høgh reportedly arrived in a club-record deal, while Duran joined from Qarabag for around £6 million.

Adding Hassan would give O’Neill another attacking option and potentially allow Celtic to build a much more dynamic front line.

It would also demonstrate that Celtic are prepared to spend serious money to improve their squad rather than relying entirely on low-cost recruitment and player development.

But is £9-10 million really worth the risk?

This is where the debate becomes interesting.

Celtic operate in a different financial environment from clubs in England’s Premier League.

Spending close to £10 million on one player carries considerably more weight in Scotland.

If Hassan struggles to adapt, the club could find itself with a very expensive player who does not immediately deliver.

There are also questions about whether his impressive dribbling numbers will translate directly into Celtic’s style of play.

Spanish football and Scottish football present very different challenges.

Celtic frequently encounter opponents who defend extremely deep, leaving little space behind the defensive line.

Hassan will therefore need to prove that he can turn his individual ability into consistent end product.

That is the gamble.

Why the gamble could pay off

On the other hand, Celtic have repeatedly benefited from signing players before their market value explodes.

If Hassan adapts quickly, performs in domestic competition and impresses in European football, his value could rise substantially.

At 24, he is also entering an age where Celtic could potentially get several of his best years before selling him for a significant profit.

And there is another factor: Champions League football.

Celtic have ambitions of competing at the highest level in Europe, and the club’s financial rewards from reaching the Champions League make squad investment much easier to justify.

A player like Hassan could be particularly useful in European matches where Celtic need players capable of carrying the ball and creating something individually.

Martin O’Neill’s attacking rebuild

The potential Hassan deal also says something about Martin O’Neill’s vision for Celtic.

The manager has already guided Celtic to another Scottish Premiership title, with the club securing their 56th league championship after defeating Hearts 3-1 on the final day of the 2025/26 campaign.

But winning domestically is only part of the challenge.

Celtic want to become more competitive in Europe, and that requires greater quality and depth.

Hassan could therefore be viewed not simply as another winger but as part of a broader attempt to raise the technical level of the squad.

The latest twist

The situation remains fluid.

Some reports have claimed Celtic are extremely close to completing the transfer for a fee approaching £9.5 million, while other reports have highlighted Marseille’s interest and the possibility that Hassan could favour the French club.

Hassan was also reportedly left out of Real Oviedo’s squad for a pre-season match against Le Havre on August 8, adding further intrigue to the situation.

That does not, by itself, confirm that a Celtic transfer is imminent — but it is certainly something supporters will be watching closely.

Until the deal is officially announced, Celtic fans should treat the transfer as advanced but not completed.

What Hassan could bring to Celtic

If the move happens, supporters can expect a winger whose biggest strengths include:

• Explosive dribbling
• One-on-one ability
• Pace and acceleration
• Left-footed delivery
• Ball progression
• Ability to play from the right
• Creativity in the final third
• Experience in European football environments

His ability to attack defenders directly could be especially valuable against teams that sit deep against Celtic.

Instead of continually recycling possession around the edge of the penalty area, Celtic could have a player capable of receiving the ball and simply taking responsibility.

The verdict

Celtic’s reported pursuit of Haissem Hassan is undoubtedly a gamble.

But it is a calculated gamble, rather than simply throwing money at an unknown player.

The Hoops appear to be targeting a 24-year-old winger with a distinctive skill set, European experience and significant room to improve.

The reported £9-10 million price tag is substantial, but Celtic may believe Hassan possesses the qualities required to make a major impact both domestically and in Europe.

The biggest question is simple:

Can Hassan turn his outstanding individual ability into consistent goals, assists and match-winning performances at Celtic Park?

If the answer is yes, Celtic could look back on this summer and consider the investment a masterstroke.

If the answer is no, the club will have taken a very expensive gamble.

For now, though, one thing is becoming increasingly clear:

Celtic are not messing around in their pursuit of Haissem Hassan.

And with Marseille also circling, the final chapter of this transfer saga could be one of the most dramatic of the summer.

Celtic fans will be watching every development.